A Curious Fellow said:
drisky said:
A Curious Fellow said:
I would encourage you to do further research into genetics, endocrinology, and neurology. What you're trying to say simply doesn't reflect the science of the human body.
"Scientists now know that sex hormones begin to exert their influence during development of the fetus." Sex hormones effecting the brain of a fetus is a proven fact.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/how-male-female-brains-differ
Although its link to transsexuality has not yet been proven, it's the prevailing theory based on autopsies and lack of effect based on social factors makes it seem highly likely to be an in born thing
http://danglingpossibilities.blogspot.com/2009/12/hormone-wash-in-brain.html
That's the science behind it as we know today.
I can give you more as well if you don't think its serious enough also
These are fascinating reads, but with exceptions made for the initial paragraphs, they say little I wasn't already exposed to. Also, if you don't mind me being a stickler about it, I don't see how this contradicts me or makes transsexuality more legitimate. In the first article, the changes to the brains' structure is still being recognized as an effect of the sex of the rest of the body via differences in hormone levels. The second link you provided makes mention of the point at which fetal testosterone levels reach their peak in male utero development. Does that point not overlap with the point at which male development first asserts itself? I'm sure that you're aware that all humans are female during the first period of life before the Y chromosome activates the changes that create males, I'm just not certain if those two periods are one and the same. I'm also still unsure how this proves transsexuality to be a biological function.
Like I said, it doesn't prove it yet but its the prevailing theory. I could get a better one for it.
How does the MtF Transsexual?
Like the normal male embryo, the male to female Transsexual brain starts out female. Then between the 8th and 24th weeks, the ?XY? chromosomes introduce testosterone hormonal changes, but the hormonal washes as faulty. They are either insufficient or ill timed. When this happens, the fetus develops a male body. However, some of the default (original) female brain processes remain intact. Thus, the brain?s gender identity remain intact. Thus, the brains gender identity remains female. This means that Transsexual males whose process of brain masculinization was incomplete, Their default female brains still function. The degree of arrested development can vary. The orgininal brain circuitry that was missed in the masculinizing process provides a continuing feminine influence. This explains why many Transsexuals, biological males know, from as early as 3 years old, that they are actually members of the opposite sex.
How does the FtM Transsexual brain develop?
Like the normal female embryo, the female to male Transsexual fetus starts out as a normal female. Then a problem occurs somewhere between the 8th and 24th week. Even though the ?XX? chromosomes have ordered no hormonal washes to take place, testosterone is still introduced. For example: An errant fetal adrenal glad causes testosterone to be produced in great quantities. The fetus is washed with testosterone, against chromosomal orders. The fetal body remains female. However, if the errant wash is strong enough, the female fetus brain is re-wired to think as male. This explains why many Transsexuals, biological males know, from as early as 3 years old, that they are actually members of the opposite sex.
http://www.majickalproductions.biz/bekasite/resouces/In-Womb%20Development.htm
Opponates of the theory will argue that not enough reaserch has been done. But the ones I'm finding that are fighting it hard are explicitly anti trans sites. They have less validity then wikipedia.
http://waltheyer.typepad.com/blog/2012/08/transgender-brain-hormone-wash-not-conclusive-.html
Really it seems to me that scientists know more about gender identify and its causes then they do sexuality, which is general considered to be from birth.