Yeah, I know, I'm responding to what is essentially a troll post, but anyway, maybe somebody will inadvertently get something out of this discussion, so here goes...


There is nothing simple about the topic brought up by the OP. There is nothing inherently PC or inherently politically incorrect either. When you're talking about nature and science, it does not and cannot fit neatly into a fox news talking point. All that stuff you thought you understood about how genes determine "gender" is really just the genetic equivalent of the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. It was a gross oversimplification of complex idea meant to make it easier to understand for small children and conservatives. George Washington didn't really chop down a cherry tree and X and Y chromosomes don't really determine "gender".


Furthermore, I think what you probably meant to say was:
Originally Posted By: Traveler
Strictly speaking, these are the only factors which define a person's SEX.

...because the term gender was never intended to be used in a biological sense. An understanding of the differences in usage between those terms would be a good place to start.

This bit of ironic misuse of the English language pretty much sums up why your statement is wrong, but it also begins to introduce why the sentiment behind the statement is also wrong.

However, the meat of the debate can be found not by arguing over semantics, but in discussing why, physiologically, having two X chromosomes or an X and a Y chromosome are not the only choices. That would naturally lead into an understanding of why they do not, therefore, define "gender".

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Extra credit thought for the day:

Not to mention the fact that a Y chromosome is, in fact, also an X chromosome, just with a bit missing. Hence the name.

You can demonstrate this complicated concept to yourself and others by making a big X by placing 4 sticks in a cross-wise pattern on the ground and then remove one of the two sticks on the bottom of the X. Now take a step back and try to imagine what other letter of the alphabet this former X now resembles.
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--Some of us look for The Way in opium and some in God, some of us in whiskey and some in love. It is all the same Way and it leads nowhither.