Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Frederick R Prete's avatar

As a Biological Psychologist and research scientist, I agree with your (detailed) analysis. However, in some sense it's beside the point (with which, I think, you probably agree). People see what they want to see in data, especially data that deal with fuzzy psychological concepts, or which can be spun to support an ideological agenda.

However, probably the most important issue, from my perspective, is the fact that you cannot simply manipulate anatomy and physiology to change a person into something they would like to be (or you would like them to be). Biology doesn't work like that. Further, we have known the deleterious effects of cross sex hormones and blockers for over half a century (ever since the drugs were first synthesized). It amazes me that people are now "debating" their effects. Except in the rarest of instances will traumatic hormonal manipulation help someone who is suffering from a psychological or psychosocial condition. I discussed some of that in "There is "Biological Evidence for Gender Identity..." but it’s not what you think."

Https://everythingisbiology.substack.com/p/there-is-biological-evidence-for

Interestingly, much of the back-and-forth about "gender identity," its associated issues and their putative amelioration is driven by misconceptions about biological causation, biological malleability, and fundamental misunderstandings of neuroscience on both sides of the debate. In some ways, it's become like the debate over abortion:, misconceived by people on both sides of the issue, and subject to a perpetual attempt to win the argument by presenting progressively larger bodies of "facts".... with no one making a fair and honest assessment of their "opponents" point of view.

To be clear, I agree with your analysis. I'm just not sure if it's going to make much of a difference until people decide to more carefully — and objectively — consider the fundamental biological and psychological aspects of this issue. Everything is biology, after all.

Thanks for a great read, Frederick

Expand full comment
John CarameI's avatar

Hi Jesse,

I only ever seem to comment or tweet you when I want to disagree so first of all I have to state what great work you do and how much I appreciate it.

But with every write up like this that I read, I less understand your position on supporting hormones for *some* children as a better solution than, say, leeches.

Have you written about the positive research or the persuasive arguments that have led to this position? About which are the cases you can definitively make such a prescription for? If not, would you? Please.

Thanks again

Expand full comment
58 more comments...

No posts