Member Topic: Do you support the queer community? - Page 6

I am a "real geneticist" - a scientist who studies and manipulates genes. Our work is to describe phenotypes and try to determine how they originate and develop (genotypes, epigenetics, biochemical signalling and genetic regulation, developmental biology), and to imagine how we can invent something useful with our knowledge.

We aren't clinical psychologists who might evaluate a child's sincerity about gender identity.

We aren't endocrinologist physicians who might prescribe puberty blockers, hormones etc.

Gender-affirming care is already performed by trained professionals - not by anyone under the sway of "activists, school teachers and unscrupulous politicians." These professionals go through the same training as psychologists, nurses, doctors, and surgeons in other areas of health care, including training to be compassionate and do no harm. They just happen to take continuing education to stay up-to-date with gender-affirming care; some of them specialize in it.

If you wilfully ignore that to imagine that some other class of experts exists, and somehow in spite of the years they've spent in training, they are excluded from clinical practice in favour of a bunch of quacks conspiring with big pharma to push drugs ... reality may have no appeal for you.

I can only say, on behalf of "real geneticists" everywhere - we don't decide who deserves health care.

It appears you have misunderstood me. The job description of a Medical geneticist clearly states that they use modern cytogenetic, molecular, genomic and biochemical genetic testing to assist in specialized diagnostic evaluations and implement needed therapeutic interventions. I was only expressing that these are the specialists I want on board when evaluating each child with gender dysphoria on a case-by-case basis. Not sure where that was lost in translation.

On a different note, just last month, the National Health Service in England decided it will not routinely offer puberty-blocking drugs to children at gender identity clinics, that people under 18 will be given puberty blockers in only exceptional circumstances. Findings published last year from a review of children’s gender services said there were “gaps in the evidence base” about the blockers.

Per Reuters, over the last five years in US there were at least 4,780 adolescents who started on puberty blockers.

Doesn't take a specialist to know that class-action lawsuits are going to be filed soon. We will then see how culpable the jury will find "activists, school teachers and unscrupulous politicians".

I do trust medical experts. And I do trust that laws, the Hippocratic oath, continuing education, and ethics guide medical professionals to make the best possible decision. I also believe that all people, including minors, should have access to the best treatment for their physical and emotional well-being. That includes supporting minors who experience gender dysphoria.

However, minors do not always have the cognitive ability to absorb information, weigh pros and cons, and make informed decisions. There is a reason why only people over 18 are considered legal adults. There is a reason why there is an age of consent before someone can engage in sexual activity. Minors cannot even get a piercing or a tattoo without parental consent and many parlors will only serve those above 18.

So why is it that when it comes to gender affirmative which has more impact on the body than a piercing we are supposed to accept it at face value? Why are people who are concerned if minors are getting appropriate care considered transphobic without so much as a reasonable discussion to understand their fears and assuage them?

Puberty blockers have been used since the 90s to treat precocious puberty. They are reversible and puberty kicks in when people go off it. They are not chemical castration drugs - and I will debate people who spread myths about puberty blockers.

But they started being used for gender-affirming care without rigorous clinical trials. Many drugs used to treat one ailment have been found useful in treating others. But typically it requires clinical trials to research it for the other use and then FDA approval to use it for that ailment. This hasn't been done for puberty blockers for gender-affirming care. I think it is reasonable to temporarily ban them until further research is conducted. That is what NHS is doing. That is what FDA should do. The intent is to approve it immediately if the clinical trials are successful.

A relative of mine who is a family doctor said that treating gender dysphoria is a minefield, and many practitioners avoid them. Back in the day, medical professionals had time and space to thoroughly evaluate each child and determine the best course of action for them. But these days, children are usually brought in by parents and advocates who have their minds made up. They flip out if doctors say or do anything that doesn't conform to their ideology and make threats. I don't think even the most well-intentioned medical experts can make clear-headed choices in this pressure cooker.

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

I do trust medical experts. And I do trust that laws, the Hippocratic oath, continuing education, and ethics guide medical professionals to make the best possible decision.

Right! Like medical malpractices never occur! :)

In India alone, each year, there are more than 5 million medical malpractice cases!

Originally posted by: K.Universe.

Right! Like medical malpractices never occur! :)

In India alone, each year, there are more than 5 million medical malpractice cases!

True. Doctors do make mistakes. Something I have learned over the years is

- ask questions

- advocate for yourself

- always get second opinions

- don't be afraid to switch doctors till you find someone you feel comfortable, who lets you ask questions, and who listens to your concerns

Malpractice could mean improper, illegal or negligence. When it comes to human lives all of these are almost unpardonable even though I could overlook honest mistakes.

I was talking about those establishments where if you go in for a treatment for your migraine, you would be lucky to get out with all your organs intact!

The members are spewing blatant hate towards a marginalized community and spreading misinformation as well.

There's too many posts to report.

Originally posted by: Satrangi_Curls

The members are spewing blatant hate towards a marginalized community and spreading misinformation as well.

There's too many posts to report.

Originally posted by: Satrangi_Curls

nothing has been done about any of the posts I've reported a week ago.

Maybe they believe in free speech. Maybe they are tired of your constant moaning and complaining. After all, one can cry wolf only so many times!

Instead of trying to get people silenced or canceled, maybe you should try to participate in a debate once in a while.

Debating in debate mansion. That’s a novel idea!

Originally posted by: K.Universe.

Maybe they believe in free speech. Maybe they are tired of your constant moaning and complaining. After all, one can cry wolf only so many times!

Instead of trying to get people silenced or canceled, maybe you should try to participate in a debate once in a while.

Debating in debate mansion. That’s a novel idea!