Originally posted by Newjak
https://www.medicinenet.com/female/definition.htmIt's a complicated thing that involves multiple levels.
It also doesn't change the development process where we all start off going down the female development path and then it gets switched later.
And by every potential definition provided there, an early developed XY fetus does not meet the definition of "female". The "all embryos start as female" notion is generally considered inexact and incorrect.
Originally posted by ares834Actually it does because the early XY fetus will show characteristics of female such as developing nipples.
And by every potential definition provided there, an early developed XY fetus does not meet the definition of "female". The "all embryos start as female" notion is generally considered inexact and incorrect.
Considered inexact and incorrect by whom?
Originally posted by ares834Like are you trying to say the early fetus development can't be labeled female and male and it's just early stage development of humans?
And by every potential definition provided there, an early developed XY fetus does not meet the definition of "female". The "all embryos start as female" notion is generally considered inexact and incorrect.
If so that's fine. A bit semantic at this point but you can't deny that based on when genetic markers switch the development process it leads to outcomes that won't fit nicely into the classical definitions of male and female. :/
Originally posted by Newjak
Like are you trying to say the early fetus development can't be labeled female and male and it's just early stage development of humans?If so that's fine. A bit semantic at this point but you can't deny that based on when genetic markers switch the development process it leads to outcomes that won't fit nicely into the classical definitions of male and female. :/
Not necessarily. I'm fine with the stance that sex is determined either at the moment of conception or once the development switches and the sex organs begin to form.
Originally posted by ares834Traditional definitions of sex I would argue can not be formed at conception because the development process leads to a number of outcomes that wouldn't fit into those definitions.
Not necessarily. I'm fine with the stance that sex is determined either at the moment of conception or once the development switches and the sex organs begin to form.
For instance there are men with XY chromosomes that will be born with an uterus and/or fallopian tubes.
When the development flips into male genitalia is also inexact and can have changes on hormonal levels for that person where they would have higher levels of estrogen. Which can allow them to lactate which considered a very female characteristic.
All of this is to of course point out to Blakemore that from a developmental standpoint there's a lot of variation and how classical definitions aren't always a good way to determine sex of someone.