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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!