The use of 'sex' and 'gender' in medical research

Abstract

There is a widespread practice of using ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ interchangeably. The World Health Organization considers that they are not. It defines sex as a set of chromosome-dependent biological variables that show unique hormone profiles and anatomy. Conversely, gender refers to socially constructed sex attributions with differential roles, behavioral expressions, identity, etc. Researchers and institutions have proposed guidelines to ensure that good science is not compromised by ideologies, media or social pressures, morality, religion or economic interests. Sex differences are immune to any ideology or socio-cultural interest, because they are governed by biologically determined genetic parameters. Considering men and women to be alike is very valuable from a moral or social perspective, but ignoring differences could be wrong and unacceptable from a biomedical perspective. The organization of health and/or research systems that does not consider the different morbidity, evolution or treatment response depending on sex would generate biases and mistakes. To work on medical innovation with a gender perspective should need to take sex differences into account and integrate them properly, recognizing diversity. The controversy is not just about sex or gender, but about sex and gender and how they may influence each other. Maintaining a scientific and academic approach will help both to advance science and enrich laws and/or ideologies.