Genetics involved in transsexual behaviour

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Gene variant may make people transsexual

Female transsexuals may have their genes to blame for feeling like they belong to the wrong sex.

By Jessica Salter
Last Updated: 6:53AM BST 30 Jul 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics...ranssexual.html


Scientists identified a specific gene variant in female-to-male transsexuals that meant they had been exposed to higher levels of sex hormones during their early development.

Almost half the female-to-male transsexuals in the study carried the gene variant.

A team from the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, analysed DNA samples from 49 female-to-male and 102 male-to-female transsexuals, as well as

1669 non-transsexual controls.

They found that while men generally had a higher level of the gene variant, it did not affect levels of transsexuality. However 44% of female to male transsexuals carried the gene compared to 31 per cent of non-transsexual women.

Clemens Tempfer, who led the study, published in New Scientist, said the gene variant "may increase the likelihood that people will become transsexual".

He denied claims that researching biological explanations for transsexuality could lead people to find cures. However he said that if other gene variants were found then diagnosis would become easier. This would benefit transsexuals as they could start gender reassignment or hormone therapy earlier in life.