Science of gender identity: Australian study reveals new genetic clues
Just to make this clear: The complexity of the development of sex and gender identity means that any simplistic explanation should be treated with care.
There seems to be a general consensus in the medical community that there are biological factors influencing transgender identities, though, not in the sense that transgender women get a stereotypical “female” brain and trans men are programmed to like beer and motor bikes (or whatever). Rather, there is something in the prenatal development of their brains, that makes them identity as the “the opposite” gender.
This Australian study indicates that there is a correlation between some sets of genes found in transgender women and their gender identity.
Lead author Vincent Harley:
“We propose 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… We just know these [genetic] variants have, in other contexts, been associated with those features.”
Professor Harley said the study added to a growing weight of evidence of a biological basis — genetic, neurobiological and endocrine — for transgender identity as part of human diversity.
“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,” he said.
Transgender identities are, as I see it, valid regardless of what causes them.