The ‘X’ and ‘Y’ of reproduction

The Town Hall meetings organized by the Constitutional Reform Commission have proven to be very useful, not only by allowing ordinary citizens the opportunity of providing their comments and perspectives on the proposed Constitution, but also by providing the general public with the opportunity to hear firsthand the various perspectives presented, irrespective of what their personal persuasion might be.

A very interesting discussion took place at the November 6 Town Hall in which a medical doctor took to the microphone to reject totally a submission by Sociologist, Dr. Veronica Evelyn, accusing Dr. Evelyn of “lying and twisting the scientific facts” concerning the science of biological reproduction.

In her presentation Dr. Evelyn stated that “biological sex is binary. Among humans, reproduction involves the fusion of two haploid cells, the gametes of which contain half of the genetic information. The recombination of the two, and only two, sex chromosomes, X and Y during reproduction, determines the biological sex of the offspring. Therefore, biological sex is an innate and immutable binary trait that is unalterable by psychosocial or any other factors”.

The medical doctor, in her response, simply stated that “biological sex is not XY, male/female. There are so many variations in-between”.  One would have expected that the doctor would have provided a more persuasive scientific and factual clarification in a response which was highly disparaging of the character and reputation of the highly respected sociologist, who has once again been accused of spreading misinformation, without a modicum of substantiation.

Persons in our society must be more circumspect and respectful in their haste to condemn others for being homophobic and intolerant when they present views that are contrary to their own views.  I look forward to the Town Hall meeting in January promised by the Commission specifically to discuss the questions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.

– Hutson Inniss