'Transsexuality gene' boosts male hormones

[Ermintrude]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or under "Media", but I found it interesting.


A gene variant has been identified that appears to be associated with female-to-male transsexuality – the feeling some women have that they belong to the opposite sex.
While such complex behaviour is likely the result of multiple genes, environmental and cultural factors, the researchers say the discovery suggests that transsexuality does have a genetic component.

The variation is in the gene for an enzyme called cytochrome P17, which is involved in the metabolism of sex hormones. Its presence leads to higher than average tissue concentrations of male and female sex hormones, which may in turn influence early brain development.


New Scientist article (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14424-transsexuality-gene-boosts-male-hormones.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news1_head_dn14424)

[CaptLex]

Interesting article :thinking: . . . just a few comments.

There were twice as many MtFs in the study? They couldn't find enough FtMs to make it equal? :raisedeyebrow: That'll probably add to the misconception that there aren't as many of us.


"Hence, the study is important and adds to the notion that gender identity is influenced by sex hormones early in life, and that certain gene combinations make individuals more vulnerable to aberrant effects."
I'm wary of the term "aberrant effects"


However, Janett Scott, former president of the Beaumont Society, a UK support group for transgender people, is concerned that positing a biological basis for transsexuality may encourage people to try and cure it.
That's always my concern too.


"Nature may have made us the way that we are, but nurture is what gives us a problem," she says.

I disagree that it's a "problem". The only real problem, as I see it, is that a large segment of society is unable or unwilling to accept it or at least not judge us.

Truth is, I don't really care why I am the way I am and I don't want to be "diagnosed", but if it helps anyone to know, then sure . . . continue the research. But I do worry about the "why" of such research in the first place.

[Nicki B]

I disagree that it's a "problem". The only real problem, as I see it, is that a large segment of society is unable or unwilling to accept it or at least not judge us.

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what Janett meant..

[Kimberley]

This is another building block to Zhou's work and that of UCLA. It would lend more credence to the androgen receptor concepts that Zhou put forth and place confirmation to the genetic work done at UCLA.

Maybe someday the rest of the medical profession will finally get it.

:hugs:
Kimberley