Cretella: Sex and gender are distinct variables critical to health: comment on Hyde et al.

Question 1

overall conclusion

Answer 1

we should keep sex and gender as distinct variables in healthcare and research.

they are separate but interconnected

Question 2

definities sex and gender volgens dit artikel

Answer 2

• sex is an innate, biologically binary characteristic based on reproductive roles
• gender is a psychosocial concept influenced by social and psychological factors

Question 3

arguments for this standpoint

Answer 3

1. sex and gender should not be conflated due to their biological vs. social and psycological origin
2. intersex conditions do not refute the sex binary, they are rare congenital differences in sex development, often associated with reduced fertility. they are exceptions
3. biological foundations of sex:
   - genetic research shows males and females are distinct at a cellular level: about 6500 genes are expressed differently between males and females.
   - structural differences between in fetal development, with different patterns and neural connections (sexual dimorphism)
4. health implications of sex differences:
   - distinction is necessary for effective healthcare (disease prevalence, drug responses, risk factors)
   - ignoring sex-based differences has historically lead to poorer outcomes, especially for women (bv. research alleen in mannen: overlooked specific risks)
5. implications for transgender health and care: transgender individuals retain their biological sex despite gender identity, therefore the underlying biology related to reproductive roles and genetics remains fixed. by ignoring their biological needs this could lead to inadequate treatment.