scholarly journals Why are there no platypuses at the Olympics?: A teleological case for athletes with disorders of sexual development to compete within their sex category

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Nathan Gamble ◽  
Michal Pruski

In mid-2019, the controversy regarding South African runner Caster Semenya’s eligibility to participate in competitions against other female runners culminated in a Court of Arbitration for Sport judgement. Semenya possessed high endogenous testosterone levels (arguably a performance advantage), secondary to a disorder of sexual development. In this commentary, Aristotelean teleology is used to defend the existence of ‘male’ and ‘female’ as discrete categories. It is argued that once the athlete’s sex is established, they should be allowed to compete in the category of their sex without obligatory medical treatment. Indeed, other athletes who possess advantageous genetic or phenotypic traits that fall outside of the human norm have been allowed to compete as humans without restraint. In both cases, if an athlete possesses the essential attributes of being a human or being male or female they should be permitted to compete in those respective categories; athletes’ eligibilities should not be based upon accidental attributes.

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
Radek Štichhauer ◽  
Antonín Šafus ◽  
David Neumann ◽  
Ivo Novák ◽  
Vladana Skutilová ◽  
...  

Disorders of sexual development (DSD) refers to a group of diseases that links the mismatch between an individual’s genetic and gonadal development and its phenotype. Ovotesticular DSD (true hermaphroditism) is one such disease, in which both male and female gonads are present. A 15-year-old boy with a history of surgery for non-palpable testis was examined due to bilateral gynecomastia and known gonosomal mosaic of Klinefelter syndrome. The external genital was matured as male and, in the left half of the scrotum, there was a testicle of normal size. Despite uncertain resistance on the right side, however, the right testis was not palpable. Revision of the right groin revealed a surprising finding in the form of an ovary with a dilated fallopian tube, both of which were completely removed. Surgical revision of the left testis with biopsy was performed. The surgery was completed with a bilateral mastectomy. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the boy is content and fully integrated into his peer group. True hermaphroditism is a rare type of DSD. In the case described, DSD was not exhibited until puberty, after an examination for gynecomastia. The case also confirms the necessity of clarification and long-term follow-up of patients with unclear findings during surgery for non-palpable testis. Diagnostic laparoscopy is clearly indicated in these situations.


Obiter ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 410-428
Author(s):  
Tebogo M Mphidi ◽  
Emma Charlene Lubaale

The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) regulates the participation of athletes, both male and female, at an international level (see IAAF website https://www.iaaf.org/home). Therefore, it has the mandate to develop criteria for the administration of athletic competitions. In pursuance of this role, in 2018, the IAAF rolled out the Eligibility Regulations for Female Classifications – Athletes with Differences in Sex Development (2018). The IAAF states that the Rules are intended to ensure that females are given the same opportunities in terms of competing in races (International Association of Athletics Federations, 2018 Eligibility Regulations for Female Classification – Athletes with Differences in Sexual Development for events from 400 metres to the mile, including 400 metres, hurdles races, 800 metres, 1500 metres, one mile races and combined events over the same distances, 26 April 2018 - the 2018 Regulations). According to these Regulations, for Relevant Athletes to be eligible to compete internationally in the 400 metres, 800 metres, and 1500 metres races, their testosterone levels have to be under 5 nanomoles (nml) per litre. Importantly, “Relevant Athletes” who are females and belong to a specific list of DSD conditions all happen to be XY. These athletes are to reduce their testosterone levels to 5 nml/L for at least six months and thereafter to maintain it at that level for as long as they wish to participate in these races (the 2018 Regulations). They are therefore being asked to lower their testosterone levels to help ensure a level playing ground based on the debatable assumption that testosterone levels impact on athletic performance. These rules were rolled out against the backdrop of existing standards on human rights demanding, among other things, that the rights of all people are respected. That would include athletes. One such right is the right to health.


Author(s):  
. .

SASMA views disorders of sexual development (DSD) as a medical condition that has profound physical and psychological effects on not only the individuals affected, but also their families. Like any other disorder, this condition has to be managed with a view to offer the best outcomes for affected individuals. When the attending physician identifies stigmata suggesting DSD in a newborn there should be proper consultation and education of parents.


Author(s):  
. .

SASMA views disorders of sexual development (DSD) as a medical condition that has profound physical and psychological effects on not only the individuals affected, but also their families. Like any other disorder, this condition has to be managed with a view to offer the best outcomes for affected individuals. When the attending physician identifies stigmata suggesting DSD in a newborn there should be proper consultation and education of parents.


Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Kelly De Villiers ◽  
Johann Louw ◽  
Colin Tredoux

Two studies were conducted to investigate gender differences in a sample of young South African readers from poor communities. In the first study, the self-reported reading preferences of 2 775 readers on a mobile phone platform supplied by the FunDza Literacy Trust were surveyed. Both male and female readers indicated that they liked four genres in particular: romance, drama, non- fiction, and stories with specific South African content. There were nevertheless some differences, such as that a higher percentage of males liked stories involving sport. The second study examined the unique FunDza site visits made by readers, as a proxy measure of what they actually were reading. Four genres stood out: romance, drama, biography, and action/adventure. Again the similarity between male and female readers was noticeable, although many more females than males read content on the site.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-37
Author(s):  
Eric Mabaso

This article highlights the problem that the print mode that the indigenous South African languages (IndiSAL) have largely adopted to preserve the folktale is inadequate. It raises shortfalls in support of the contention that not enough is being done to preserve the art of folktale narration and suggests a way out of the cul-de-sac. Most works on IndiSAL folktales focus on the value of preserving the art itself rather than the mode of preservation. The research follows a performance-centred approach as advocated by inter alia Marivate (1991), Bill (1996), Dorji (2010) and Backe (2014). Compared to countries such as Nigeria and Malawi, IndiSAL are lagging behind in digitization for the preservation of folktales. The article is an empirical study based on the author’s experiences and observation of folktale narration and the analysis of the transcribed form. The article critically reviews the various preservation modes and highlights their pros and cons.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 896
Author(s):  
Yuenan Zhou ◽  
Pei Yang ◽  
Shuang Xie ◽  
Min Shi ◽  
Jianhua Huang ◽  
...  

The endoparasitic wasp Cotesia vestalis is an important biological agent for controlling the population of Plutella xylostella, a major pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. Though the genome of C. vestalis has recently been reported, molecular mechanisms associated with sexual development have not been comprehensively studied. Here, we combined PacBio Iso-Seq and Illumina RNA-Seq to perform genome-wide profiling of pharate adult and adult development of male and female C. vestalis. Taking advantage of Iso-Seq full-length reads, we identified 14,466 novel transcripts as well as 8770 lncRNAs, with many lncRNAs showing a sex- and stage-specific expression pattern. The differentially expressed gene (DEG) analyses showed 2125 stage-specific and 326 sex-specific expressed genes. We also found that 4819 genes showed 11,856 alternative splicing events through combining the Iso-Seq and RNA-Seq data. The results of comparative analyses showed that most genes were alternatively spliced across developmental stages, and alternative splicing (AS) events were more prevalent in females than in males. Furthermore, we identified six sex-determining genes in this parasitic wasp and verified their sex-specific alternative splicing profiles. Specifically, the characterization of feminizer and doublesex splicing between male and female implies a conserved regulation mechanism of sexual development in parasitic wasps.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Erlangga Danu Saputro

Disorder of sexual development (DSD) is one of challenging disorder that has to be done clinically and physiologically. The patients and relatives may experience various psychosocial problems that have an impact on their live. The aim of this study is to look at psychological problem in children with DSD and their relatives. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed for articles representing information on psychological problem to the patient and their relatives. Relevant data were extracted and narratively reviewed. The result of this review can be used as basic data in the development of counselling program for the patients and their relatives.


Neonatology ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Antonio Balsamo ◽  
Paolo Ghirri ◽  
Silvano Bertelloni ◽  
Rosa T. Scaramuzzo ◽  
Franco D’Alberton ◽  
...  

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