CNN hosts Brianna Keilar and Boris Sanchez recently analyzed the Trump administration’s recently released Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidelines, which define sex only in terms of reproductive biology. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduced the guidance, which states that there are only two sexes—male and female—that are distinguished by their reproductive roles.
In her contribution to the conversation, health reporter Jacqueline Howard raised concerns that these definitions fail to take intersex people into consideration and could result in discriminatory actions against the transgender community. According to Howard, the administration’s criteria are more limited than those employed by the majority of scientists, who underline that the scientific community generally recognizes a variety of sex and gender identities.
Opponents contend that using such dichotomous definitions could lead to the omission of important study findings and have real detrimental impacts on patient care and medical treatment. The argument highlights the continuous conflict between scientific viewpoints on sex and gender and legislative actions.