The Term of True Hermaphrodite - Research Paper Example

Hermaphrodites Introduction In biology, a hermaphrodite is defined as any animal or plant that possesses both the female and the male reproductive organs. This means that a human hermaphrodite is a person with both reproductive organs, and has the ability to act as male or female depending on which genitalia is fully developed. However, this biological condition is not common in humans. In concise, there are three main categories of hermaphrodites namely true, male pseudo-hermaphrodite, and female pseudo-hermaphrodite. The main difference between the three types is the nature of the reproductive organ. Although some hermaphrodites have one sex organ being more dominant than the other, some have a combination of both genitalia sharing dominance. Medical practitioners in the U.S. estimate the frequency of hermaphrodite’s births to be 1 in 1500. An extensive review of a medical journal published in 1998 by Dr. Gregory Simpsons provides a glimpse of different sex variations and their probability of occurring. The probability of delivering a child that is not XX or XY is 1 in 1,666 births. Discussion Hermaphrodites are treated differently in different cultures due to their sexual orientation. Asian cultures have classified such individuals as a third gender that blends social roles for centuries. Most societies throughout the globe expect hermaphrodites to identify with one gender role, either male or female (Dreger, 25). There exists no universal tolerance to this biological phenomenon, but the existence of hermaphrodites was known to many ancient cultures. Medical authors for example, introduced the term “true hermaphrodite” to accommodate persons who had both testicular and ovarian tissues during the Victorian era. The terms male pseudo-hermaphrodite, and female pseudo-hermaphrodite were coined later to describe individuals who had one dominant genitalia. However, British medical specialist, Allen Weber, sought to replace the term hermaphrodite with intersex. True Hermaphrodite A true hermaphrodite is an individual with both testicular and ovarian tissues. In addition, the genitalia are often ambiguous since none of the organs is fully developed. So far, there is no known cause of this biological problem that affects thousands throughout different cultures. However, Dr. Kathleen Long postulates that the cause of this problem could be the mutation of the sex-determining gene in addition to the fertilization of an ovum by two sperms (Long, 152). Partly, this could explain why the genitalia have both organs present at the same time. Mostly, ovaries develop underneath each testicle leading to an ovotestis that contains both types of the tissues. However, there is no documented case in which both genitalia function. Some of the katyotypes that have been encountered so far include 46XX/47XXY, 46XX/46XY, and 47ZZY. This condition can be distinguished histologically since it is dissimilar to mixed gonadal dysgenesis. As of May 2008, there have been 11 cases reported of fertility in true hermaphrodite humans. However, a case in which both gonadal tissues function is yet to be documented, as opposed to rumors that true hermaphrodites can impregnate themselves. The degree of external genitalia ambiguity is dependent on the amount of testosterone that is produced by the testicular tissue between the 8th and the 16th week of the gestation period (Long, 180). Medical authors suggest that it is caused by the division of one ovum, followed by fertilization of both haploids before they fuse again early in the fetus development stage. However, few people believe it is caused by the mutations in the SRY gene. Male Pseudo-Hermaphrodite A male pseudo-hermaphrodite has ambiguous female external characteristics, but the male organ is often dominant. In most cases, the testicles are fully developed even though they are attached to an under-developed female genital. Individuals with this biological condition have secondary sexual characteristics such as being less virile and often portray a feminine personality. It is believed that this biological condition is caused by a reduction in tissue response to testosterone, errors in the production of the same and maternal ingestion of estrogens (Bloom, 460). In 6 weeks of gestation, gonad has the potential to develop either testes or ovaries, which is dependent on the nature of the genes carried by the sex chromosomes. In order for a male pseudo-hermaphrodite to be born, the male fetus begins to differentiate after 6 weeks of the gestation period. From the 16th to the 18th week, the female gonad starts forming ovaries. According to @@@@@, male pseudo-hermaphrodite have partially functioning testes that give rise to under-developed male genitalia due to a deficiency in testosterone. Female Pseudo-Hermaphrodite A female pseudo-hermaphrodite has ovaries present but, shares ambiguous external male characteristics that are easy to identify. Medical experts believe this condition is caused by an excessive production of androgens, which takes place in a developing fetus. This is because there is insufficient production of other growth hormones. Maternal androgens and aromatase deficiencies also cause the development of a female pseudo-hermaphrodite. Individuals with this condition should be raised as female to avoid traumatizing them as they adapt to their sexual orientation (Parsons, 286). Excessive levels of androgen in a female fetus affect their primary sexual characteristics by masculinizing the external genitalia. In this, the gonadal sex is female, but the external genitalia are masculinized. The degree of masculinization is dependent on the timing of exposure to androgens. Virilization in females is characterized by acne, hirsutism, premature pubarche, or menstrual irregularities Genetic defects of steroid genesis causes high levels of androgen as a result of hyperplasia of the adrenal gland. However, if a woman carrying a female fetus is administered with androgen or progestin during her first trimester, the fetus may be masculinized. In addition, androgen-generating tumors of ovarian or adrenal origin may also cause masculinization of the fetus. Finally, there is a variable degree of labial fusion and clitoral hypertrophy in female Pseudo-Hermaphrodites. Hermaphrodites in the Society According to an article published by Knight and McClenaghan in July 2008, majority of hermaphrodites face several challenges as they interact with “normal” individuals in the society. How they are treated and perceived varies across different cultures throughout the globe. In some communities, hermaphrodites are not allowed to participate in certain activities such as politics and sports. They are constantly ridiculed due to their sexual orientation that still marvels many (Knight and McClenaghan, 312). Up-to date, hermaphrodites are considered a bad omen in some Asian and African communities that still believe in ancient mythologies. In most cases, the parents of the child were required to kill or abandon the baby, as it would bring misfortune to their family. In other cultures, they are considered to be demi-gods from the underworld. Nonetheless, medical advancements in human biology have helped to change this perception in most societies. In essence, hermaphrodites can now participate in social activities since they have gained acceptance even by conservative religions such Catholic and mainstream Methodist. Hermaphrodite Support Hermaphrodites have often been subject to stigma and ill treatment owing to their abnormal biological condition for centuries. Some religions still view hermaphrodites as a consequence of sin. This has not deterred various support groups from offering help to this minority population that has been marginalized for centuries. These groups help hermaphrodites in different communities to lead fulfilling and productive lives. They offer them a sense of community and opportunities to seek advice, share experiences, and learn factual medical information about their condition (Knight and McClenaghan, 112). To many, hermaphrodites invoke a mixture of desire, disgust, fascination, and fear that have led to their position as objects of scrutiny in the society. Scientists too have not been left behind in their quest to objectify hermaphrodites and learn their reproductive limitations. Today, hermaphrodites have come out strongly to fight for their rights just as HIV/Aids victims want stigmatization to end. Education has greatly helped to spearhead acceptance of hermaphrodites in the society by shedding more light on a biological condition that has generated controversy for centuries. Innocent children have in the past been killed for being born hermaphrodites. However, these days correctional surgeries are available to assist individuals with this condition. If the dominant genitalia are fully functional, then the parasitic reproductive organ can be surgically removed. Some individuals with this condition have gone public aiming at educating the mass that they are human beings with feelings and needs just like “normal” people. Conclusion In summary, a hermaphrodite is defined as any animal or plant that possesses both the female and male reproductive organs. There are three main categories of hermaphrodites namely true, male pseudo-hermaphrodite, and female pseudo-hermaphrodite. Most societies throughout the globe expect hermaphrodites to identify with one gender role, either male or female. There exists no universal tolerance to this biological phenomenon, but the existence of hermaphrodites was known to many ancient cultures. A true hermaphrodite is an individual with both testicular and ovarian tissues. In addition, the genitalia are often ambiguous since none of the organs is fully developed. However, a male pseudo-hermaphrodite has ambiguous female external characteristics, but the male organ is often dominant. Lastly, a female pseudo-hermaphrodite has ovaries present, but shares ambiguous external male characteristics that are easy to identify. Works Cited Bloom, Amy. Normal: Transsexual CEOs, Crossdressing Cops and Hermaphrodites with Attitude. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2003. DREGER, Alice Domurat and Alice Domurat Dreger. Hermaphrodites and the Medical Invention of Sex. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 1998. Knight, Jeffrey A. and Robert McClenaghan. Encyclopedia of Genetics: Hermaphrodites - XYY syndrome, index. Chicago: Salem Press, 2009. Long, Kathleen P. Hermaphrodites in Renaissance Europe. New Jersey: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, 2006. Parsons, James. A mechanical and critical enquiry into the nature of hermaphrodites. Madrid: the Complutense University of Madrid, 2001. Read More