Gene Discovery Could Aid in Gender Reassignment

PinkNews reports today that researchers have discovered the gene responsible for gender development. Research in mice shows that gender may not be fixed at birth. Switching off the gene in transgendered people could one day mean an end to conventional hormone therapy.

(From PinkNews)
"Researchers at the National Institute for Medical Research discovered that just one gene prevents females from developing male physical characteristics such as facial hair and testes.

The study in adult mice showed that when the gene, known as FOXL2, was artificially switched off, the ovaries of female mice began developing into testes and they produced male amounts of testosterone."

The research shows that while trans men would not be able to produce sperm, switching off the FOXL2 gene could mean an end to a lifetime of hormone treatment.