[Crimson Dynamo]

• US researchers tested 14 female-to-male and 16 male-to-female patients
• The latest findings point towards transgender identity having a physical basis
• Dr Ricki Lewis, a geneticist, said: 'It lends legitimacy, if that needs to be added, that transgender is not a choice but a way of being'

A study was presented at the Society for Reproductive Investigation meeting in San Diego which appears to have identified a panel of genes that may provide a biological basis for gender dysphoria, which is the term used to describe those who believe their gender is opposite of their biological sex. The panel of genes includes DNA involved with the development of nerve cells and the manufacture of sex hormones.

Researchers believe the findings add weight to the idea that transgender people have “fundamental differences in their brains and biochemistry” that leads to gender dysphoria. In other words, the researchers believe that the study lends legitimacy to the idea that transgender is not a choice, as some argue, but “a way of being”.

The study examined DNA sequences of 14 female-to-male and 16 male-to-female transgender people. Researchers looked for genetic variants common in the test groups but turned up in fewer than one in 10,000 people in the wider population. During the course of the study the researchers found 30 such variants, “nine of which were in genes known to be implicated in the growth of brain cells or the production of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone”.

Theisen stressed that the research was still in an early phase and only a small patient population has so far been explored. Because of that, there is no proof that any of the individual variants revealed in the sample is involved in gender dysphoria. Additionally, the small study has yet to be peer-reviewed. Some of the findings in the study may be the result of “pure chance”.

https://www.biospace.com/article/new...nder-identity/

[jaxie]

That doesn't particularly surprise me. Though I don't really buy the 'female brain' idea in the way it has been proposed so far and it is a fairly small sample they looked at.

I hate to say it because it's the darkness of sexual orientation/preference and sickens me like many others but it wouldn't surprise me if they also one day find such markers for paedophilia.

I think most of these things are in our genetic make up. Who would choose anything that brings misery to self or others and being conflicted often brings misery? However that doesn't mean there won't be individuals who would choose to self identify for their own purposes.

[user104658]

Don't tell Vicky! She doesn't believe in any of this new-aged fancy schmancy gender mumbo jumbo about genetics or souls.

[jaxie]

Well that didn't go well did it.

The point I was making is that I think most things about us are in the genome. Which is the building block of each individual and most things like sexual desire and orientation, being a psycopath, having asthma are probably beyond our control for the most part. There are many things people wouldn't choose, they are just there. But in the case of having unacceptable urges for instance I think there is also still an element of choice about acting on the urge. Science definitely hasn't identified all the markers yet.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Don't tell Vicky! She doesn't believe in any of this new-aged fancy schmancy gender mumbo jumbo about genetics or souls.

Genetics I believe in, souls not so much

I wish these studies would be done on a larger section of people tbh. 30, as the doctor leading this study says, is very low. Its yet to go through peer review also.

I have looked for this study online and cannot find it at all so if anyone has actually read it, not articles about it I would be glad of a link. Might be that its not available until reviewed tbh, not sure how these things work as all the studies I have read in detail before have been reviewed already.

I am guessing though, that when they say 'transgender' they mean transsexual, given they say mtf and ftm. Transgender includes crossdressers and such, and I seriously doubt there is ever going to be a genetic reason or anything found for crossdressers

Anyway, a genetic reason for sex dysphoria would not surprise me at all given many (most?) illnesses have a base in genetics, or seem to. For example

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/...s-201303015944

[Vicky.]

Also deleted a bunch of seemingly random posts. No idea how any of that was relevant

[Beso]

Yes, i do apologise for my drunken ramblings.