Evidence supporting the biologic nature of gender identity.
Aruna Saraswat, Jamie D Weinand, Joshua D Safer
Author Information
Aruna Saraswat: Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine.
Jamie D Weinand: Boston University School of Medicine.
Joshua D Safer: Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Boston University School of Medicine.
OBJECTIVE: To review current literature that supports a biologic basis of gender identity. METHODS: A traditional literature review. RESULTS: Evidence that there is a biologic basis for gender identity primarily involves (1) data on gender identity in patients with disorders of sex development (DSDs, also known as differences of sex development) along with (2) neuroanatomical differences associated with gender identity. CONCLUSIONS: Although the mechanisms remain to be determined, there is strong support in the literature for a biologic basis of gender identity.
