Trump’s executive order defining biological sex as either male or female based on reproductive cells has raised concerns among scientists who say that sex is a multifaceted trait with much more complexity beyond just chromosomes and reproductive cells. Sex involves genetic, environmental, and developmental variations that can result in a diversity of masculine and feminine traits in individuals. The definition put forward by Trump does not account for the many people who do not fit within the narrow binary definition of sex.
While it is true that there are two sizes of reproductive cells – eggs and sperm – that define biological sex to some extent, researchers emphasize that sex is much more complex than that. Most characteristics attributed to males and females fall along a spectrum with two peaks, representing the average traits for each sex. Defining sex purely based on gametes ignores a multitude of factors that are relevant to our daily lives and social interactions, including height, muscle mass, and metabolic rates, that do not conform to a strict binary model.
The development of sex does not begin at conception, as fertilized eggs cannot produce gametes. Sex development occurs several weeks after conception and involves intricate processes that determine the development of male or female reproductive systems. The differentiation into male and female structures begins around six weeks into gestation, with the production of testosterone triggering the development of male reproductive organs. Males do not produce sperm until puberty, while females are born with all the eggs they will ever make.
The role of sex chromosomes in sex determination is complex, with variations such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome challenging the binary definition of sex based on chromosomes. Intersex individuals, who make up 1.7 percent of the population, have diverse sex development differences that do not align neatly with male or female categories. The use of a binary definition of sex could have negative implications for intersex individuals, who often undergo surgeries to conform to a chosen sex and may require hormonal treatments for their health.
The biology of sex and gender is not characterized by clear-cut definitions or hard categories, as evidenced by the multitude of variations in sex development seen in different individuals. Trump’s executive order on defining biological sex fails to capture the complexity of sex as a multifaceted trait with genetic, environmental, and developmental factors at play. A broader understanding of sex that accounts for variation and diversity is necessary to ensure inclusivity and justice for individuals who do not fit into traditional male or female categories.
