Robert Winston Radio 4 Today Programme

I thought the ladybrain thing was him hedging his bets as a scientist who won't rule out the possibility that it might exist until there's convincing proof that it doesn't. Unfortunate to even refer to it being a thing though

Hormones are pretty powerful substances. They must surely effect the brain too.That is not to suggest, though, that our brains in and of themselves are wired inherently & structurally in different ways. But our bodies are systemic, and that includes the brain.

Uncompromisingwoman: I think even the BBC are beginning to recognise that the transitioning of children might end up not on the right side of history after all and realising that promulgating only one side of the debate might not be viewed favourably by the public and particularly by a BBC-sceptical government in the future.

OldCrone, I automatically replace “gender identity” with “sexist stereotypes” whenever I read it. It clarifies the issue greatly, I find!

gender identity development.

You mean development of an inclination to view cultural stereotypes of gendered behaviour as important.

Isn't it interesting that the BBC have suddenly realised that their job is not to push an ideology favoured by many of their staff their staff, but to accurately represent different aspects of this issue?
Now if we could get them to remember that the protected characteristics of the Equality Act include sex (as opposed to their favoured but inaccurate gender), that would be another small step.

As I’ve said before, it’s not about ‘ladybrains’.

It’s about recognising that prenatal hormones do affect brain tissue and variations in prenatal hormone exposure most likely influences sexuality and potential gender identity development.

Equally it’s becoming more important to recognise that there may be other influences in the ethology of gender dysphoria and that transition as therapy could be being over used.

I thought it was very interesting
He was obviously choosing his word with care (such as “this person”) but his general tone was that we need to focus more on the causes rather than just prescribe drugs and cut bits off people. It was also good that he differentiated children.
He’s Male and very well respected, I doubt he will get much abuse for his views, or even care.

Numbers of detransitioners

I thought this was pretty hard hitting for the BBC ...Winston did choose his words very carefully, but it was clear he considered f to tm surgery dangerous ( m to tw less so) and pointed out that other forms of surgery may need a wait for proper assessment and treatment , and with the numbers of caution is probably a good thing. He does not accept that you can change sex. I was impressed. presumably as a fertility specialist he will be seeing patients dealing with the aftermath of sterility due to transitioning.

Yes, his references to 'brain gender' made me but I think the references to 'genetic gender' were possibly an attempt to keep the conversation accessible to the masses rather than making a stand over gender vs sex. He clearly appreciated they were different which was important, but getting wound up in disputes over terminology in such a limited time frame would have been problematic, particularly when those that aren't active in the debate are trying to understand.

What he said about seeing significant regret in detransitioners was really important though, although the way he answered some of the questions did make it sound like the waiting times are intentional rather than due to capacity, so maybe some additional clarity would have been helpful (either 'it's policy to wait because it's better for patients', or 'I believe waiting is a beneficial by-product of limited capacity which is caused by the significant increase in the volume of referrals, so we shouldn't be too quick to label increasing wait times as a problem to be fixed and instead should use the opportunity to research the possible benefits').

I'm glad he made the distinction between adults and children too.

Loved how he referred to the woman they had on who thinks she's a man, as "the person".

I thought the ladybrain thing was him hedging his bets as a scientist who won't rule out the possibility that it might exist until there's convincing proof that it doesn't. Unfortunate to even refer to it being a thing though.

He mentioned detransitioners and a need to look into why people feel they need to 'change sex'. He does seem to believe in the existence of ladybrains, though.

Apart from him using "gender" where the correct word should have been "sex" a number of times, that was very interesting. He's been watching for this for decades, he has a good sense of the limitations of gender reassignment surgery, his concerns are growing, but significantly he's realised he has to voice his concerns and more importantly he wouldn't have been able to do this on the BBC a year or two back.

More evidence of a major shift going on in what people think and what they're feeling confident enough to say.