Trans People May Have “Rare” Gene Variants Related To Brain Sex Differentiation
A new study has found that it might be possible for genetic differences to relate to gender identity and brain development.
The study’s co-author J. Graham Theisen, said that since many trans people know they gender identity in a very young age, “we thought that there was almost certainly a biologic component to gender identity.”
The study compared the DNA of 17 trans women, 13 trans men and 88 cis people. It found 21 very rare variants in genes, common among the trans people but not at all found in the cis participants, on 19 genes associated with “sexual differentiation in the brain.”
As ‘LGBTQ Nation’ reports, the study authors stressed that they were not looking for and did not find a “transgender gene.”
“Like many human traits, gender identity is unlikely to result from the variation of a single gene,” the authors wrote in the study. “Notably, even the binary categories of ‘transgender male’ and ‘transgender female’ are not sufficient to describe all members of the gender-expansive community, with some individuals for example self-describing as gender non-binary or agender.
“Rather than being tied to variation within a single gene, an individual’s gender identity is more likely the result of a complex interplay between multiple genes as well as environmental and societal factors.
“While, in some individuals, a single genetic variant may be sufficient to result in gender dysphoria, it does not follow that that particular variant would be necessary or sufficient to cause gender dysphoria in the population at large.”
Thiesen added that, “The primary goal of our research is to gain a better understanding of the biologic component contributing to the spectrum of gender identities, and thus help our patients to gain a better understanding of themselves.
“Beyond that, we believe that with this enhanced understanding, we will be able to counter the discriminatory narrative that gender identity is a choice.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
Making sense of the culture war over transgender identity
South Carolina To Ban Medical Treatments for Trans Kids
Supporting Trans Youth Is Scientifically Good For Them
Human Rights Campaign publishes results of 2018 LGBTQ Youth Survey
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