For the many that identify as transgender, gender identity is not merely a psychological condition to be treated. It is deeply rooted within who they are or feel that they are meant to be. Many of these individuals believe that their brains are male, female, or somewhere in between regardless of their genitals and the gender they were born as. Not too long ago this was the topic of a conversation I had with a friend who had undergone therapy for gender dysphoria. When the discussion turned toward the treatment of transgender children, I was asked about my opinion on conversion therapy. Although I hold a very strong opinion against it I had no scientific data, only a weakly supported argument based on psychological well-being to back up my point of view. This got me thinking. Is there information out there based on science that parents can use to make well informed decisions concerning their trans children?
In the past it was believed that gender dysphoria was largely psychological and linked to how a person was raised or due to traumatic childhood events. Although this view has been largely left behind, scientific data backing up a biological premise for gender dysphoria did not really exist until more recently. Research of this type is still in its infancy and there is much work to be done, however current data does support biological differences in transgender individuals.
In an article from New Atlas, Rich Haridy reports that a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism last year suggests that there is a genetic association with gender dysphoria. A team of researchers from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Australia looked at variants in genes associated with sex hormone signalling. The idea behind this study came from the recent pool of evidence indicating an increase in gender dysphoria among individuals who were exposed to abnormal concentrations of androgenic hormones while in the womb. This lead researchers to hypothesize that variants in certain genes could alter sex hormone signalling and cause a change in how the developing brain sexually differentiates, thus causing a person to experience gender dysphoria.
To test this theory the DNA of 380 transgender women and 344 non-transgender men was analyzed. The researchers looked for repeated DNA sequences in genes associated with sex hormone signalling. Their data identified 12 genetic variants in transgender women that are associated with the processing of male and female hormones (estrogen and androgen). On the Hudson Institute of Medical Research website the lead author of the study, Vincent Harley, explains, “these genetic variations could make some males less able to process androgen, causing the brain to develop differently – with areas that are less ‘masculine’ or more ‘feminine’ – which may contribute to gender dysphoria in transgender women”. This theory is supported by recent research findings that the MRI’s of individuals with gender dysphoria showed brain structures more like their desired gender than the gender assigned to them at birth.
In light of these findings, I can’t help but wonder what about transgender men? Do they also exhibit genetic differences in genes involved in hormone processing? This is a major pitfall to this study. Only transgender women were assessed, so a fully accurate picture can’t be painted with the limited data this study provides, but what it does do is open the doors for future research. Although the search for a biological cause of gender dysphoria has received backlash from some in the transgender community, Professor Harley sums it up quite eloquently by saying, “While it should not hinge on science to validate people’s individuality and lived experience, these findings may help to reduce discrimination, lend evidence towards improving diagnosis or treatment, promote greater awareness and acceptance and reduce the distress experienced by transgender people in our communities”.
So back to my original question, does current research offer valuable information to parents making decisions on what’s best for their transgender children? The answer is yes and no. Yes, there is scientific data that indicates people experience gender dysphoria because of a biological phenomenon and not some psychological defect. This in theory, could educate a parent to make better decisions concerning the therapeutic and medical treatment of their child, however the data is incomplete. The research, as aforementioned, is still in its infancy.
One final thought on this; even though this data exists, much of this research may not be easily accessible to the majority of the population. Parents looking for information may not have adequate access to research data and even if they do, they may have difficulty understanding the material. This in turn leaves us with another issue to ponder concerning the accessibility of scientific data. How do we make conscientious decisions concerning our health and the health of our children if we don’t have access to current research data?
Sources:
Haridy, Rich. “New Study Probes the Genetic Roots of Transgender Identity.” New Atlas – New Technology & Science News, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2018, https://newatlas.com/transgender-genetic-study-hudson-institute/56631/.
Foreman, et al. “Genetic Link Between Gender Dysphoria and Sex Hormone Signaling.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 21 Sept. 2018, academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1210/jc.2018-01105/5104458?redirectedFrom=fulltext.
“Written in DNA – Study Reveals Potential Biological Basis for Transgender.” Hudson Institute of Medical Research, hudson.org.au/latest-news/written-in-dna-study-reveals-potential-biological-basis-for-transgender/.
“Transgender Brains Are More like Their Desired Gender from an Early Age.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 24 May 2018, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180524112351.htm.
Data/Society/Decision-making Spring 2019 