Intersexes

            Most people were not to familiar with the term hermaphrodite until the 2009 scandal of Lady Gaga being accused of being a hermaphrodite, which turned out to be false.  A hermaphrodite is someone who has both male and female sex organs, or other sexual characteristics abnormally.  There are four main categories of hermaphrodites, also known as intersexes.  One is known as the 46, XX, intersex.  In this category, the person has the chromosomes and ovaries of a woman, but external genitals that appear male.  This is due to the female fetus being overexposed to male hormones (testosterone) before birth.  The other common category of intersexes is the 46, XY, intersex.  In this category, the person has the chromosomes of a male, but the external genitals are incompletely formed, and seem female.  This is due to incomplete balance of male and female hormones.

            The most common cause of this condition is due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), this occurs in one in 13,000 births.  CAH is a group of recessive disorders that involves a deficiency in the synthesis of cortisol or aldosterone, causing overdevelopment of the adrenal glands at birth.

Below is a video featured on 20/20, which explains the typical life of Hida Viloria, who is a hermaphrodite.  According to Dr. Glassburg, if a child is born a hermaphrodite it is best to have corrective surgery among the first year of birth, since it is “psychologically better” for the child. 

I believe that surgery should not be done after a child’s birth.  Each person has the right to choose what he/she thinks is best for them, especially since the surgery can cause emotional or physical damage to a person.