The evidence to support medicalised gender transitions in adolescents is worryingly weak
The effectiveness and side-effects of the most common treatments are not well understood
PRISHA MOSLEY was 17 when she was first given testosterone in a clinic in North Carolina, after she had declared to her parents that she was a boy. She had struggled through her teen years with anorexia and depression after a sexual assault. Luka Hein had both breasts removed as a 16-year-old in Nebraska. Chloe Cole, in California, was a year younger when she had her double mastectomy. She had been on testosterone and puberty-blocking drugs since 13, also after a sexual assault.
This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline “Trans substantiation”
From the April 8th 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionDiscover more
The Adani bribery case could upend Indian business and politics
The allegations against the corporate champion may end up being resolved diplomatically rather than in court
The war in Ukraine is straining Russia’s economy and society
Despite advances on the battlefield, pressure is growing
How will Donald Trump handle the war in Ukraine?
And how will Ukraine, Russia and Europe respond?
Elon Musk’s transformation, in his own words
Our analysis of 38,000 posts on X reveal a changed man
Elon Musk and Donald Trump seem besotted. Where is their bromance headed?
The precedents are not encouraging
The energy transition will be much cheaper than you think
Most analysts overestimate energy demand and underestimate technological advances