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Journal of Bioethical Inquiry
Published in: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry 4/2018

01-12-2018 | Original Research

Intersexual Births: The Epistemology of Sex and Ethics of Sex Assignment

Authors: Matteo Cresti, Elena Nave, Roberto Lala

Published in: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

This article aims to analyse a possible manner of approaching the birth of intersexual children. We start out by summing up what intersexuality is and how it is faced in the dominant clinical practice (the “treatment paradigm”). We then argue against this paradigm, in favour of a postponement of genital surgery. In the second part of this paper, we take into consideration the general question of whether only two existing sexes are to be recognized, arguing in favour of an expansion of sex categories. In the third part, we illustrate the reasons supporting provisional sex attribution: the child’s best interest and respect for their developing moral autonomy. This position aims to increase the child’s well-being and self-determination, limiting parents’ freedom to take decisions on behalf of others, in particular, those decisions concerning basic aspects of their children’s personal identity.
Footnotes
1
In the past they were called “hermaphrodites” (see Dreger 1998), but for many reasons, this word is considered pejorative by intersex activists and scientific communities. The word comes from the name of a mythological character who hold feminine and masculine anatomical features.
 
2
In some states this is no longer required, for example, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.
 
3
For a discussion of intersexuality from a religious perspective, see for example Cornwall (2009).
 
4
This instance was also supported by the United Nations Human Rights Council (United Nations 2013, 23), by the Europe Council Parliamentary Assembly, Resolution 1952 (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 2013) and by the United Nations call against violations of the human rights of LGBTI people (United Nations 2015).
 
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Metadata
Title
Intersexual Births: The Epistemology of Sex and Ethics of Sex Assignment
Authors
Matteo Cresti
Elena Nave
Roberto Lala
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer Singapore
Published in
Journal of Bioethical Inquiry / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 1176-7529
Electronic ISSN: 1872-4353
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-018-9880-7

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