Conflict rages between those who believe that gender is socially constructed and those who argue that it is biologically determined. But now geneticists propose that we can change our sexual characteristics through lifestyle choices. Is this misguided hype, or the promise of a brave new world?
This debate from the Institute of Arts and Ideas (a charitable organisation committed to changing the current cultural landscape through the pursuit of big ideas, boundary-pushing thinkers and challenging debate) attempts to answer that question. Featuring Darwinist philosopher, Helena Cronin, the New Humanist’s Caspar Melville and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, Tim Spector, the video challenges preconceived notions of whether sex is biologically binary and whether we can actually alter our gene function through behaviour.
Helen Cronin pointed out that baby girls prefer faces and baby boys choose a mechanical mobile. Why? According to Helen it’s all down to 800 million years of evolution, “If you reproduce sexually (rather than through cloning) you have to divide your reproductive investment between competing for mates and caring for offspring. In all sexually reproductive species, males do more competing and females do more caring.”
Tim Spector said he used to believe that, and still goes along with a lot of it, but his study of identical twins has changed his mind because “they are discordant for their sexual preference.”
It’s a fascinating debate – take a look at the video below, and follow the Institute of Art and Ideas for more fascinating videos at @IAI_TV
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