Regalado 1

Emily Regalado
English 114B
Mr. Kubler
25 March 2015
The Mix-Up
The video, The Gender Puzzle, discussed reversed gender
chromosomes within people. They may look entirely like a woman, and
be developed, but they still have the underlying XY chromosome,
enlisting them as a male. Christie North was diagnosed with Complete
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, one of dozens of syndromes that
deals with mutated chromosomes. It is an intersex condition that
categorizes her as female because she is developed entirely as a
woman, but has the male chromosome. As a fetus, her body was
unable to process the XY chromosome, so she developed as female.
This is a condition that affects 1000s of Australians.
Professor Gary Warne discovered Christies condition and simply
stated her genetics as a mix up. She was, intended to be a girl, but
got there by a different path, and I think it is validly different way of
thinking. Instead, the negative way which sets up as a boy, who didnt
make it; this is a girl who did make it, and to make it is this way, that
life is a little different. (3:20- 3:44) According to Medscape, a credible
research website, babies are born with a sense of their gender, and if
they are brought up a certain way, they will act that way. In a sense,

Regalado 2
Gender Variant behavior (in Christies case) would be discovered
sooner or later, but would not change the fact she was developed or
raised female.
At the age of three, it was discovered she had internal testes
(discovered from a hernia operation) and later was diagnosed with a
genetic alteration. Because of the presentation of testes, her body
produced testosterone, but is unable to respond to the hormone
because the receptors are female. At six, she was told she would be
unable to reproduce or menstruate. At the age of fifteen, she was
finally aware of her condition, she was told she had the male
chromosome, and was born with testes.
Those with the SRY chromosome (XY mutation) have the
maleness in them, but have no relation to male qualities. Liz North,
Christies mother, believes her daughter is completely normal, despite
her condition. I think shes happy. I dont think it worries her at all,
[she] never really complained or anything. Shes just a normal girl, you
know? The hair, the makeup, you name it. (4:16-4:43) Because
anatomic clues are often used for gender assignment, the degree of
masculinization (or lack thereof) often determines recommendations
for child-rearing. (Medscape)
It is something I have, it is not something I think about on a
daily basis. I think about it occasionally, and like if I mention it to a
friend, or prospective boyfriend or like that, that is the only time

Regalado 3
mentioned or brought up. (4:00-4:15) Christie, rather than to make it
a part of her life, she opts to ignore the fact that her gender identity is
slightly altered. Although it means her life may be different, she treats
it regular, and doesnt let this news consume her life. Every year she
must receive an implant of estrogen in her body, so that it helps
womanize her, this is determination to keep her life as simplistic as
possible, like she was raised to be. [Most] individuals express a female
gender and assume a normal female gender role Thus, the presence
of a Y chromosome is frequently accepted as a biologic quirk rather
than the source of psychologic distress. (Medscape)
If I was to discover I had the male chromosome, I would do what
Christie does and not even acknowledge it, it was not a part of my life
before, so there is no necessity for it. Sure, it would hurt me knowing it
cant do what all females do (bear children and be able to menstruate)
but it could be seen as the best of both worlds. I would continue my life
as woman, and live happily as a woman. I would not become a man
because genetically I am. Being raised a certain way is difficult to
change, so why change? Any challenges in life should be omitted.