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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 more closely
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into the Neurology, Physiology, and Psychology
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behind it.
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So today, we're gonna break down what Science does knows
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in a respectful and educational way.
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Hey guys! I'm Gigi Gorgeous
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And today, I'm here with ASAPScience
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to break down 'The Science of Being a 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 determined right after 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 creates 'Testosterone'
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which in turns trigger the development
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of the structure like the
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penis and scrotum.
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While other cells block female development
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by the 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
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cervix, upper vagina, and the oviduct
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with the help of Estrogen, and chemicals secreted by
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the early kidney.
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But it's not always that simple.
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There are some times even when RARE COMBINATIONS
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like 'XXY', 'XXX' 'XXYY' etc.
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And even people with
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'XX" Chromosomes 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 a brain,
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actually happens much later than Gonadal Differentiation.
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And yes, although controversial
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Male and Female brains have
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structural and functional diffrences
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between each other.
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Studies have found that
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males generally have a larger cerebrum
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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 in the right frontal lobe.
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So what exactly do we see
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when we look in 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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structural and functionally more
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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 causes
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different hypothalamic responses in male & female brains
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And when the individuals with 'Gender Dysphoria' were exposed to it,
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the hypothalamic response match their Perceived gender rather than their sex.
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These studies help to highlight masculinisations
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or feminisations 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
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your sex or your anatomy
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and your gender 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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gender identity in congruence 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 at 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 suffering from more
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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 Gigi
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for being part of this video,
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it means so much and we're happy that 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 platform
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validating transgender experiences with science
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which is brings 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 in the screen somewhere.
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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.
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PEACE!