Paediatric Gender Medicine | Moti Gorin and Holly Lawford-Smith

Brain in a Vat

We begin by imagining a world where children are separated by sex at birth and raised without exposure to traditional gender norms. We debate whether gender incongruence is a result of nature or social conditioning. We discuss gender affirming care for children, highlighting the complexity of diagnosing gender dysphoria amidst co-occurring psychiatric conditions and the potential influence of social contagion. Key insights include questioning the lack of robust evidence for the efficacy of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and the need for comprehensive psychosocial care before considering medical transition. The Cass Review was released after we recorded our conversation, but we address similar concerns.

00:00 Introduction to the Thought Experiment

00:10 Exploring Gender Segregation and Its Impacts

02:22 Debating the Existence of Gender Incongruence

03:28 The Social Construction of Gender and Its Medical Implications

04:48 Sexual Orientation in a Segregated Society

13:37 Challenging the Medicalization of Gender Diversity

25:26 Transracialism and Personal Identity Choices

31:41 Medical Risks and Ethical Dilemmas in Gender Transition

41:38 Exploring the Regulation of Cross-Sex Hormones

42:11 The Uncertainty of Medical Interventions and Autonomy

44:49 The Complexities of Gender Dysphoria Treatment

45:43 Evaluating the Risks and Benefits of Paediatric Transition

48:39 The Debate on Consent and Medical Ethics

51:38 Addressing Comorbidities in Gender Dysphoria Treatment

58:45 The Role of Social Phenomena in Gender Dysphoria

01:11:17 Examining the Evidence and Ethics of Puberty Blockers