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<i>There's a lot of misinformation out there
about what it means to be transgender,</i>

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<i>but recently, scientists
have begun to look more closely</i>

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<i>into the neurology,
physiology and psychology behind it.</i>

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So today, we're going to break down
what science <i>does</i> 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 <i>genetic sex</i>
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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<i>But until six or seven weeks
after fertilization,</i>

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<i>both XY and XX embyos
have identical gonads.</i>

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<i>Around seven weeks,
the male sex organs start to develop</i>

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<i>because of a gene
on the Y chromosome called</i> SRY.

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<i>It causes cells to become more specialized</i>

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<i>and these cells create testosterone,</i>

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<i>which in turn triggers the development
of structures like the penis and scrotum,</i>

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<i>while other cells block female development
by degenerating the female ducts.</i>

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<i>However, in female development,</i>

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<i>because there is no Y chromosome
with the SRY gene,</i>

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<i>these ducts stay intact
and become the uterus, cervix,</i>

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<i>upper vagina and the oviduct,</i>

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<i>with the help of estrogen and chemicals
secreted by the early kidney.</i>

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But it's not always that simple.**

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<i>There are sometimes
even rare combinations like XXY,</i>

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<i>XXX, XXYY, etcetera,</i>

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<i>and even people with XX chromosomes</i>

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<i>that develop
male genitals and characteristics,</i>

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<i>due to a piece of the Y chromosome
breaking off</i>

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<i>and switching places to an X chromosome.</i>

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But <i>sexual differentiation</i> 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 <i>and</i> 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
<i>and</i> functionally more similar

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to their experienced gender identity
than their biological sex.

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<i>One study found that trans women who,
despite being assigned male at birth,</i>

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<i>had a smaller, female-sized structure
in the hypothalamus.</i>

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<i>MRI scans also show
the brain structures of trans people</i>

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<i>to be more similar in thickness</i>

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<i>to their experienced gender
and not their sex.</i>

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<i>Finally, the pheromone androstadienone</i>

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<i>causes different hypothalamic responses
in male and female brains.</i>

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<i>And when individuals with gender dysphoria
were exposed to it,</i>

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<i>the hypothalamic response</i>

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<i>matched their perceived gender
rather than their sex.</i>

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<i>These studies help to highlight</i>

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<i>how masculinization
or feminization of the gonads</i>

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<i>is not always the same as the brain</i>

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<i>and that there's a difference
between your sex or your anatomy</i>

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<i>and your gender
or how we perceive our own bodies.</i>

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<i>There also seems to be a genetic component
to transgender identity.</i>

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<i>Looking at family histories,</i>

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<i>gender identity incongruence
seems to run in the family,</i>

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<i>meaning they may be inherited.</i>

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<i>The CYP17 gene, which controls
the body's level of sex hormones,</i>

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<i>has a changed allele
that is expressed frequently in trans men.</i>

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<i>Although more research could be done,
scientists are currently looking</i>

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<i>at over three million DNA markers
for transgender identity</i>

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<i>to investigate
any genetic link for being trans.</i>

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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!