[Controversial] The Scientific Evidence Regarding HBS

[phoenixvtam]

The HBS movement cites recent research on the hypothalamus as definitive "proof" of their assertion that transexuality is a physical intersex condition. Divorcing myself from the issue and speaking purely as a scientist, this is either ignorant or dishonest because the papers they cite are in fact only preliminary pilot studies.

The 1997 study by

Comments

[aki_no_kaze]

good to know

[cyberspice]

While we're pulling rant, as a former Post Doctoral Research Assistant, I think saying it is completely inconclusive its itself a bit wrong. It's not completely inconclusive. You can say there is grounds for further research since something is suggested. But no, it doesn't not prove anything. However it does not disprove anything either...

I do not follow the HBS movement but I do feel that there is a little bit of nature in transsexuality as well as everything else...

EDIT: Fixed HTML

[terry_terrible]

Oh boy, I hope this doesn't turn into a flame war. While the study is promising and helpful it is almost impossible to put up against a control group since it is impossible to determine if those changes in the BSTc region was due to hormones or not. If anyone can find out a way to find the cadavers of 10 or 20 self-identified but pre-hrt (or no-ho) transsexuals, I'd like to hear about. But I'd doubt it's possible.

People touting this theory often have amnesia when it comes to the study documenting the change in the size of the hyper-thalamus under HRT administration

[aki_no_kaze]

i dont know.. I would like to see a larger study group then just 10 or 20...

[justanormalgirl]

I believe they looked at TS who were both pre-HRT and post-HRT, pre-op and post-op. I'd have to read the study again though to be sure.

[terry_terrible]

I never knew that but checked the abstract and you are correct, so that changes my attitude about the study. Though more work will to be done in this area, one study isn't really enough to prove anything.

[sophiaserpentia]

I wouldn't say completely inconclusive, but "pretty darn inconclusive so far." What we have is a promising teaser and we need much more evidence before people start talking about using brain scans, or anything similar, as the primary means of diagnosing someone as transsexual.

[amokk]

You mean like the study on listening to 15 minutes of classical music had students score slightly better on tests became "making your fetus listen to Mozart will make them smarter" ?

[justanormalgirl]

they made us do that in middle school. my middle school was experimental and largely influenced by The Mozart Effect. pfft. I realized it was crap then. It's all based on the third variable of class and race.