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There's a lot of misinformation out there
about what it means to be transgender,
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but recently, scientists
have begun to look more closely
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into the neurology,
physiology and psychology behind it.
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So today, we're going to break down
what science does know
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in a respectful and educational way.
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Hey, guys, I'm Gigi Gorgeous
and today I'm here with AsapSCIENCE
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to break down
the science of being transgender.
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Before we get too deep into it,
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we have to look at your genetic sex
or the chromosomes you have.
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These were determined
right at fertilization,
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when the sperm cell from your father,
which carries an X or a Y chromosome,
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fused with the egg from your mother,
which carries an X chromosome.
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But until six or seven weeks
after fertilization,
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both XY and XX embyos
have identical gonads.
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Around seven weeks,
the male sex organs start to develop
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because of a gene
on the Y chromosome called SRY.
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It causes cells to become more specialized
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and these cells create testosterone,
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which in turn triggers the development
of structures like the penis and scrotum,
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while other cells block female development
by degenerating the female ducts.
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However, in female development,
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because there is no Y chromosome
with the SRY gene,
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these ducts stay intact
and become the uterus, cervix,
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upper vagina and the oviduct,
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with the help of estrogen and chemicals
secreted by the early kidney.
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But it's not always that simple.**
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There are sometimes
even rare combinations like XXY,
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XXX, XXYY, etcetera,
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and even people with XX chromosomes
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that develop
male genitals and characteristics,
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due to a piece of the Y chromosome
breaking off
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and switching places to an X chromosome.
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But sexual differentiation in the brain
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actually happens much later
than gonadal differentiation.
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And yes, although controversial,
male and female brains
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have structural and functional differences
between each other.
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Studies have found that males
generally have a larger cerebrum,
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cerebellum, and hippocampus,
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while females
have higher-density left frontal lobes
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and larger volumes
in the right frontal lobes.
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So what exactly do we see
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when we look at the brain
of a transgender person?
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Several studies
have shown that transgender brains
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are both structurally
and functionally more similar
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to their experienced gender identity
than their biological sex.
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One study found that trans women who,
despite being assigned male at birth,
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had a smaller, female-sized structure
in the hypothalamus.
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MRI scans also show
the brain structures of trans people
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to be more similar in thickness
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to their experienced gender
and not their sex.
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Finally, the pheromone androstadienone
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causes different hypothalamic responses
in male and female brains.
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And when individuals with gender dysphoria
were exposed to it,
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the hypothalamic response
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matched their perceived gender
rather than their sex.
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These studies help to highlight
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how masculinization
or feminization of the gonads
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is not always the same as the brain
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and that there's a difference
between your sex or your anatomy
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and your gender
or how we perceive our own bodies.
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There also seems to be a genetic component
to transgender identity.
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Looking at family histories,
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gender identity incongruence
seems to run in the family,
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meaning they may be inherited.
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The CYP17 gene, which controls
the body's level of sex hormones,
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has a changed allele
that is expressed frequently in trans men.
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Although more research could be done,
scientists are currently looking
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at over three million DNA markers
for transgender identity
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to investigate
any genetic link for being trans.
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Even though scientific studies validate
the experience of transgender people,
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they're still suffering
from more depression and anxiety
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than the general public.
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The risk of suicide
is more prominent in transgender people
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who have been rejected by their family,
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discriminated in the workplace
or in health care.
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Suicide risks seem to decrease
after gender transitioning,
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suggesting that gender dysphoria
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can cause an extreme amount
of emotional pain,
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even to the point of suicide.
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If you, a family member or a friend
is suffering from gender dysphoria,
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there are a few links in the description
for more information.
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Thank you, Gigi,
for being part of this video.
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It means so much. We're happy
that you're here to do this.
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Thank you guys,
for using your channel, your platform,
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validating transgender experiences
with science,
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- which just brings us closer to equality.
- Absolutely.
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If you want to check out Gigi's channel,
we'll put up links.
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Otherwise, you can subscribe
for more science here,
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- every week, and we'll see you next time.
- Peace!