What if the perceived increase in numbers of androgenous and trans people has a chemical basis: chemicals from plastics interfering with the endocrine system.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9885170/

[–] xanu@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (4 children)

transgenderism has been a prominent aspect of virtually all human cultures dating back to the dawn of civilization. it wasn't until the Victorian era and colonialism that it was demonized. it's not some new phenomena caused by microplastics

[–] MossyFeathers@pawb.social -2 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Yeah, but it's possible the chances of it occuring are increased with micro plastics. Kinda like how exposure to some chemicals used in plastics seems to increase the likelihood of a child having ADHD. It's not the sole reason, nor are trans people new, but micro plastics might make trans people more common.

[–] Eloise@lemm.ee 9 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Current demographic information seems to suggest that transgender people are no more frequent than they have been historically, just more visible / likely to come out.

[–] noobdoomguy8658@feddit.de 5 points 2 years ago

This. I've seen more people come out as a part of some minority in last several years than, say, in 2000s in general, and that's not a time span during which any alleged and meaningful genetic or biological changes could play a role. It's just a much better and safer time to come out compared to everything before.

[–] snek@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Why, that could only mean that micro plastics have always been around. /s

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