For many of us, it was a basic part of the high school
biology curriculum to learn that XY and XX are the
sex chromosomes for males and females, respectively.
Higher education has lead some to believe that the
origins of sexual diversity continue with the embryo,
whether it possesses a Y chromosome that contains the
SRY gene which signals for underdeveloped gonads to
turn into testes. In recent years, researchers have
concluded that sex chromosomes and the SRY gene
are far more complex than once originally thought, and
there have been a growing number of scientific studies
surrounding what truly determines a person’s sex on a
molecular and cellular level.
biology curriculum to learn that XY and XX are the
sex chromosomes for males and females, respectively.
Higher education has lead some to believe that the
origins of sexual diversity continue with the embryo,
whether it possesses a Y chromosome that contains the
SRY gene which signals for underdeveloped gonads to
turn into testes. In recent years, researchers have
concluded that sex chromosomes and the SRY gene
are far more complex than once originally thought, and
there have been a growing number of scientific studies
surrounding what truly determines a person’s sex on a
molecular and cellular level.
Geneticists in Nature state that all people possess
traits of the other sex to varying degrees. Because of
advancements in DNA sequencing and new technologies,
cellular biology is revealing that virtually every single
person is a “patchwork of genetically distinct cells”, some
of which possess a chromosomal sex that does not
correlate with the rest of their body. According to an
article in National Geographic, the SRY gene may become
dysfunctional or missing during gamete formation, resulting
in a typically male XY embryo that fails to develop male
anatomy and will be identified as a girl at birth. On the other
hand, there is also a chance that the SRY gene appears on
the X chromosome (possibly due to crossing over from the
pseudoautosomal regions of the sex chromosomes), leading
to a typically female XX embryo that develops male anatomy.
Other genetic variations can also occur that are totally
unrelated to the SRY gene, such as complete androgen
insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), in which the cells of an XY
male do not respond to the secreted testosterone and other
male hormones and the individual physiologically appears
to be female.
traits of the other sex to varying degrees. Because of
advancements in DNA sequencing and new technologies,
cellular biology is revealing that virtually every single
person is a “patchwork of genetically distinct cells”, some
of which possess a chromosomal sex that does not
correlate with the rest of their body. According to an
article in National Geographic, the SRY gene may become
dysfunctional or missing during gamete formation, resulting
in a typically male XY embryo that fails to develop male
anatomy and will be identified as a girl at birth. On the other
hand, there is also a chance that the SRY gene appears on
the X chromosome (possibly due to crossing over from the
pseudoautosomal regions of the sex chromosomes), leading
to a typically female XX embryo that develops male anatomy.
Other genetic variations can also occur that are totally
unrelated to the SRY gene, such as complete androgen
insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), in which the cells of an XY
male do not respond to the secreted testosterone and other
male hormones and the individual physiologically appears
to be female.
Evidently, when genetics is considered, the boundary
between the two sexes tends to become blurry and blended.
Regardless of societal norms, there proves to be a much
greater diversity within male or female, and there is certainly
an area of overlap where some people can't easily define
themselves within the binary structure.
between the two sexes tends to become blurry and blended.
Regardless of societal norms, there proves to be a much
greater diversity within male or female, and there is certainly
an area of overlap where some people can't easily define
themselves within the binary structure.
Posted by Jamie Courtney (1)
This is a very eye-opening article I think and one that will continue to develop and be researched. Hopefully in the coming years more research behind the SRY gene will be discovered and that may help society as a whole in becoming more accepting of genders and gender preferences. It is interesting too that this SRY gene can develop in different ways producing offspring with certain sex chromosomes to develop into the opposite sex physically.
ReplyDelete-Maddie Powers
I definitely agree with you! Science not only has the power to physically and medically improve people's lives, but it has the potential to largely benefit our society. Hopefully, this concrete evidence that sex is not a strict dichotomy will allow us to be more accepting of gender identity and expression.
DeleteI enjoy this article because as we progress into the 'future' of science, things we may not have questioned in the past (such as the different sexes) has now more knowledge and research that points to new discoveries. I'm sure in the future scientists will continue researching and making more groundbreaking discoveries regarding the SRY gene.
ReplyDeleteRachel Klett
I discussed this topic in my genetics class, it's very interesting. First, male and female were distinguished usually by the physiologic characters that appear in a person (like breast development in females or beard in males). That was a very old distinction but now the genetic studies showed that sometimes we cannot say a person is a male or a female when the genes readings are very different from the appearance of the person due to physiological and molecular problems. This is an issue in athlete career where a woman with the SRY gene having CAIS can have a physical power advantage compared to regular women having XX in their genome and lacking the SRY gene. This problem made an issue for a woman athlete few years ago leading to denying her success and records.
ReplyDeletePosted by "Jad Imad"
I also learned about female athletes in my WGSS class who were "too" physically successful and were accused of being men, despite not having been close to their male equivalent's records. With the help of genetics, the discourse that revolves around an individual's sex in sports can be quieted.
Delete