WEBVTT

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There's a lot of misinformation out there
about what it means to be a transgender

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but recently,

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Scientists have begun to look into

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the Neurology, Physiology, and 
Psychology

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behind it.

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So today we're gonna

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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,

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today, I'm here with 
ASAPScience

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to break down Science 
of Being Transgender

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Before we get to deep into it,

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we have to look at your genetic sex.

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Or the chromosomes you have.

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These were determine 
right at fertilization

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When the sperm cell from your father

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which carries an 'X' or a 'Y' chromosome

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fuse with the egg from your mother,
which carries an 'X' chromosome.

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But until 6 or 7 weeks 
after fertilization,

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both 'XY' and 'XX' embryos

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have identical Gonads.

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Around 7 weeks

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the male sex organs start to develop

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because of a gene on 'Y' chromosome

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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

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of structure like the penis & scrotum

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while other cells block female

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development by degenerating
the female ducts.

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However, 
in female development,

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because there is no

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'Y' chromosome
with the 'SRY' gene

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These ducts stay intact 
and become

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the uterus cervix, 
upper vagina, and the oviduct

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with the help of Estrogen, & 
chemicals secreted

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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

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like 'XXY',

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'XXX'

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'XXYY' etc.

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And even people
with 'XX" Chromosomes

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that develop male genitals
& 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 a brain, actually

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happens much later 
than Gonadal Differentiation.

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And yes, 
although controversial

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Male and Female brains 
have structural &

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functional differences
between each other.

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Studies have found

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that males generally

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have a larger cerebrum
cerebellum.

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and hippo campus.

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While females have

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higher density left frontal lobe,

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and larger volumes

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in the right frontal lobe.

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So what exactly do we see 
when we look at the brain?

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of a transgender person?

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Several studies have shown that

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transgender brains
are both

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structurally and functionally

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more similar to their experienced
gender identity

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than their biological sex.

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One study found that transwomen who

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despite being assigned male at birth

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had a smaller female size structure
in the hypothalamus.

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MRI scans also show the

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brain structures of trans people

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to be more similar in thickness into their

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experienced gender and not their sex.

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Finally, the pheromone
Androstadienone

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causes
different hypothalamic

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responses in male 
and female brains

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And, when individuals

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with Gender Dysphoria
were exposed to it,

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hypothalamic response

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matches their perceived gender

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rather than their sex.

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These studies help to 
highlight

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masculinization or 
feminization

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of the Gonads is not 
always the same as the brain

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and that there's a difference between

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your sex or your anatomy
& gender

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or how you perceived 
your own body.

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There also seems to be

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a genetic component 
to transgender identity.

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Looking at family histories

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of gender identity 
incongruence

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seems to run in the family,

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meaning they maybe inherited

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The 'CYP17' gene which controls

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the body's level of sex hormones

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has a changed allele that is expressed

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frequently in trans man.

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Although, more 
research could be done,

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scientists are currently
at looking over

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3 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

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validate the experience
of transgender people

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There's still more suffering from

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depression and anxiety 
than the general public.

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The risk of suicide

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is more prominent in transgender people

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who have been rejected by their family

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discriminated in their workplace,

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or in health care.

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Sucide risks seems to

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decreased after gender transitioning.

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Suggesting that gender dysphoria can cause

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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

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suffering from gender dysphoria ,

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there are few links in the description

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for more information.

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Thank you so much 
for being part of this video,

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it means so much and we're happy

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you were here to do this with us.

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GIGI: Ah, thank you guys for using

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your channel, your 
experiences

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validating transgender
with science

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which brings us closer 
to equality.

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Mitch: Absolutely

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If you guys wanna 
check out Gigi's Channel

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we'll put links in the 
description

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or on the screen somewhere
Otherwise,

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you can 
subscribe for Science here

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every week, and 
we'll see you next time.

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PEACE!