Why do we always mess with that big shiny button that says "DO NOT PUSH!"? Is there something genetic within the human species that sees something that looks like a bad idea and absolutely feels compelled to be mess with it?
I read a post recenty, via
queerty, siting an article in the
Bioethics Forum concerning one Dr. Maria New and her use of Drug she believes will reduce the "masculinazation" of female fetus's in the womb. The drug, dexamethasone, was origially used as a way to treat Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia(CAH) which causes female fetuses to have ambiguous genitalia. Other symptoms may appear later in life such as:
- Abnormal menstrual periods
- Genitals that look both male and female (ambiguous genitalia), often appearing more male than female
- Deep voice
- Early appearance of pubic and armpit hair
- Excessive hair growth and facial hair
- Failure to menstruate
Dr. New believes that an excess of Androgens in the womb is what accounts for the condition...The Problem? She also believes that the drug used to treat CAH can also potentialy be used to treat other forms of "masculinization" in the womb. The assertion has been made that this could eventually be put to use as a way to prevent lesbianism in the womb. Although Dr. New has made no such
DIRECT claim..what she
does say certainly leads us in that direction...and the ramifications for future use of this drug a more than a little scary.
