A Test Of Four AIs

I asked them all the same question that I asked in 2023 to see how their answers changed: “What causes a person to be transgender?”

Perplexity AI:

## Causes of a Person Being Transgender

**Overview**

There is no single, definitive cause for why a person is transgender. Current research points to a complex interplay of biological, genetic, hormonal, and possibly environmental factors. The understanding of transgender identity continues to evolve as scientific studies progress[1][2][4][6].

**Key Contributing Factors**

- **Genetic Influences**

  - Twin studies suggest that genetics play a significant role in gender incongruence, though no specific "transgender gene" has been identified[4][5][6].

  - Recent research has found certain gene variants related to the processing of sex hormones (estrogen and androgen) are more common in transgender women, indicating a possible biological basis[5].

- **Prenatal Hormonal Environment**

  - Exposure to atypical levels of sex hormones in the womb may influence brain development in ways that affect gender identity[1][4][6].

  - The processes that determine the development of genitalia and the brain occur at different times during pregnancy, which may lead to incongruence between physical sex and gender identity[3][6].

- **Brain Structure and Function**

  - Differences have been observed in the brain structures of transgender individuals, with some studies showing that certain brain regions in transgender people resemble those of the gender they identify with rather than their sex assigned at birth[1][6].

- **Psychological and Environmental Factors**

  - Early life experiences, social environment, and possibly childhood adversities have been explored as contributing factors, but the evidence strongly favors biological and genetic predispositions[2][6].

  - Many transgender individuals report knowing their gender identity from a very young age, suggesting an innate component[1][8].

**What Is Not Supported by Evidence**

- There is no credible evidence that being transgender is caused by upbringing, socialization alone, or exposure to media or trauma[3][6].

- Attempts to change a person's gender identity through therapy or other interventions have not been successful, further supporting a biological basis[3].

**Summary Table: Factors Associated with Being Transgender**

| Factor Type         | Evidence/Description                                                                 |

|---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Genetics            | Twin studies, gene variants related to hormone processing[4][5][6]                  |

| Prenatal Hormones   | Atypical hormone exposure affecting brain development[1][4][6]                      |

| Brain Structure     | Brain region similarities to identified gender[1][6]                                |

| Psychological       | Early awareness of gender identity, multifactorial influences[1][2][6][8]           |

| Environmental       | Limited evidence, possible minor role[2][6]                                         |

**Conclusion**

Transgender identity is believed to result from a combination of genetic, hormonal, and neurodevelopmental factors, with possible but less significant contributions from environmental and psychological influences. There is no single cause, and being transgender is recognized as a natural variation within human diversity[1][2][4][6][8].

Citations:

[1] https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/resources/NCTE_UnderstandingTrans.pdf

[2] https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-people-gender-identity-gender-expression

[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/asktransgender/comments/obabrn/the_cause_of_being_transgender/

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_gender_incongruence

[5] https://www.hudson.org.au/news/written-in-dna-study-reveals-potential-biological-basis-for-transgender/

[6] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5825045/

[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/symptoms-causes/syc-20475255

[8] https://transequality.org/issues/resources/frequently-asked-questions-about-transgender-people

ChatGPT:

The exact cause of someone being transgender isn’t fully understood yet, but researchers believe it’s likely due to a complex mix of biological, psychological, and social factors. Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently known and theorized:

### 1. **Biological Factors**

These are some of the most studied contributors:

- **Brain structure and function**: Some research has shown differences in the brains of transgender people that align more closely with their gender identity than their sex assigned at birth.

- **Hormonal influences in the womb**: Hormones like testosterone and estrogen help shape gender development during pregnancy. Variations in these hormone levels may influence gender identity.

- **Genetics**: There’s some evidence suggesting a genetic component, though no single "transgender gene" has been identified.

### 2. **Psychological and Social Factors**

These don’t *cause* someone to be transgender, but they can influence how someone comes to understand and express their gender:

- **Early childhood experiences**: Many trans people report feeling different from a very young age.

- **Cultural and societal awareness**: Growing up in environments where gender diversity is acknowledged can help people recognize and accept their identities more readily.

### 3. **It's Not a Choice**

Being transgender isn’t a phase or a lifestyle decision—it’s about a person’s deeply felt sense of self. For many trans people, identifying and living as their true gender is essential to their well-being.

Would you like a more scientific explanation, or a more personal/social perspective?

Gemini:

There isn't one single, definitive answer to what causes a person to be transgender. The current understanding is that it's a complex interplay of multiple factors, including biological, psychological, and social influences. Many experts believe that biological factors, particularly those occurring before birth, play a significant role.

Here's a breakdown of some of the key areas of research:

**Biological Factors:**

* **Prenatal Hormones:** One prominent theory suggests that the development of gender identity in the brain occurs during fetal development and is influenced by exposure to sex hormones. Variations in the levels or timing of this exposure might lead to a gender identity that differs from the sex assigned at birth based on external genitalia. For example, some research indicates that transgender women may have been exposed to lower levels of androgens (like testosterone) during critical periods of brain development compared to cisgender men. Conversely, transgender men might have experienced higher levels of androgens than cisgender women.

* **Genetics:** While no specific "transgender gene" has been identified, studies on twins suggest a genetic component to gender identity. Researchers are investigating genes involved in sex hormone signaling and other developmental processes to see if variations in these genes are more common in transgender individuals.

* **Brain Structure:** Some studies have found differences in brain structure between transgender individuals and cisgender individuals. For instance, certain brain regions in transgender women show similarities to those of cisgender women. These differences are believed to arise during prenatal development.

**Psychological and Social Factors:**

While biological factors are increasingly recognized as significant, psychological and social factors also play a role in the experience and expression of gender identity:

* **Early Experiences:** Some individuals recall feeling a strong sense of their gender identity differing from their assigned sex from a very young age. These early feelings and experiences can be a significant part of their understanding of themselves.

* **Social Environment:** While not considered a "cause" of being transgender, social acceptance, support from family and peers, and the ability to express one's gender identity authentically can significantly impact a transgender person's well-being. Conversely, lack of acceptance and discrimination can lead to distress.

* **Gender Dysphoria:** This refers to the distress a person may feel when there is a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. While not all transgender people experience gender dysphoria, it can be a significant psychological factor for many.

**Important Considerations:**

* **No Single Cause:** It's crucial to understand that there is likely no single cause for being transgender. It's a complex interplay of factors that varies from person to person.

* **Not a Mental Illness:** Being transgender is not a mental illness. Gender dysphoria, which some transgender people experience, is a condition that can cause distress and may require clinical attention.

* **Diversity of Experiences:** Transgender people have diverse experiences and become aware of their gender identity at different ages.

In conclusion, the most current scientific understanding points towards a significant role for biological factors, particularly prenatal hormone exposure and genetics, in the development of a transgender identity. Psychological and social factors influence how this identity is experienced and expressed. Research in this area is ongoing and continues to deepen our understanding of the complexities of gender identity.

Of the four Microsoft’s CoPilot was the hardest to access… Microsoft kept opening Edge to access it, I finally found a way to open it in DuckDuckGo and the answer was the weakest of the four (And the only one without a “Copy” button.)…

CoPilot:

The causes of being transgender are complex and not fully understood. Research suggests that a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors may play a role. For example, some studies indicate that prenatal hormone exposure and genetic influences could contribute to gender identity development. It's also important to note that being transgender is not a mental illness but a natural variation of human diversity.

If you'd like, I can share more about the science or the lived experiences of transgender individuals. Let me know!