TED Radio Hour The Biology Of Sex
May 8, 2020
Join Emily Quinn, an intersex artist and activist, Molly Webster, a journalist exploring biological sex complexities, Lisa Mosconi, a neuroscientist focusing on women’s health, and Karissa Sanbonmatsu, a biologist researching epigenetics. They dive deep into the spectrum of biological sex, challenging the binary views and discussing the impacts of hormones on identity. Personal stories blend with scientific insights, illuminating the need for broader understanding and acceptance of gender identities beyond traditional frameworks.
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Emily Quinn's Childhood Diagnosis
- Emily Quinn grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a conservative environment.
- At age 10, doctors told her she had a disorder of sex development, specifically androgen insensitivity syndrome.
Intersex and Biological Sex
- Emily Quinn has XY chromosomes, typically associated with males, but also has a vagina and internal testes.
- She does not respond to testosterone, so she developed breasts during puberty but not other typically male characteristics.
The Spectrum of Biological Sex
- While gender identity is increasingly understood as a spectrum, biological sex is often oversimplified.
- Biological sex is more complex than the binary of male and female, XX or XY.
