
The Plasticity of Sex
The Molecular Biology and Clinical Features of Genomic Sex, Gender Identity and Sexual Behavior
- 2nd Edition - March 1, 2027
- Latest edition
- Editor: Marianne Legato J
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 4 1 6 7 6 - 7
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 4 1 6 7 7 - 4
"The Plasticity of Sex: The Molecular Biology and Clinical Features of Genomic Sex, Gender Identity and Sexual Behavior, Second Edition" offers a thorough exploration of the biolo… Read more
Purchase options

"The Plasticity of Sex: The Molecular Biology and Clinical Features of Genomic Sex, Gender Identity and Sexual Behavior, Second Edition" offers a thorough exploration of the biological, clinical, and social dimensions of human sexuality. This updated edition emphasizes the increasing recognition of the diversity of sexual identities and behaviors, particularly the spectrum between traditional male and female categories. It consolidates evidence-based research on the molecular and developmental biology of sex, gender identity, and sexual behavior, presenting a comprehensive resource for biomedical researchers, clinicians, and medical students. A key theme of this edition is the growing understanding of human sexuality as fluid and diverse, shaped by a variety of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Over recent decades, there has been heightened interest in issues like gender identity, genital ambivalence, and sexual transition, with both the general public and medical professionals seeking more knowledge and guidance on these topics. The book underscores the need for a more inclusive approach, incorporating voices from diverse communities and recognizing the importance of broadening the scope of research beyond narrow sample sizes and traditional binary frameworks. The new edition highlights the ongoing challenges in understanding and addressing variations in human sexuality and the need for continued dialogue between science, society, and legal systems to create more inclusive frameworks for care and support. This work serves as an essential reference for anyone involved in the study or treatment of human sexuality.
• Presents detailed and expanded views of the intricate relationship between biology as modified by the environment via epigenetics
• Includes new material on the limitations of social and legal systems which are inadequate and/or underutilized to include the individuals with variations in sexual preference and performance
• Provides new and fully updated chapters summarizing the most important information currently available and suggestions for the most important paths for future investigation
• Offers new guidelines on crafting more effective clinical centers for the care of the person with variations in sexual identity
• Includes new material on the limitations of social and legal systems which are inadequate and/or underutilized to include the individuals with variations in sexual preference and performance
• Provides new and fully updated chapters summarizing the most important information currently available and suggestions for the most important paths for future investigation
• Offers new guidelines on crafting more effective clinical centers for the care of the person with variations in sexual identity
Biomedical researchers in endocrinology, neuroscience, development biology, medical students, residents, clinicians, and practicing physicians from all medical areas
1: What is biological sex and what determines it
2: Variations of Sexual Development
3: Is There a male and female brain?
4: The transgender individual
5: The strong heritability of gender dysphoria
6: Homosexuality: what are the factors that produce homosexuality?
7: 5a Reductase deficiency syndrome: the impact of androgens on gender identity and gender role
8: Biological basis of gender identity
9: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia-a model to explore gender fluidity in early life
10: Testosterone treatment for transgender male
11: Clinical care of the transgender individual
12: Preservation of fertility in transgender individuals
13: Breast Imaging in the transgender individual
14: Legal, ethical and rights consideration in protecting the child with intersex traits
15: Transphobic discrimination and health
16: Societal experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
17: Implementing LGBTQ curricula into health professional education
2: Variations of Sexual Development
3: Is There a male and female brain?
4: The transgender individual
5: The strong heritability of gender dysphoria
6: Homosexuality: what are the factors that produce homosexuality?
7: 5a Reductase deficiency syndrome: the impact of androgens on gender identity and gender role
8: Biological basis of gender identity
9: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia-a model to explore gender fluidity in early life
10: Testosterone treatment for transgender male
11: Clinical care of the transgender individual
12: Preservation of fertility in transgender individuals
13: Breast Imaging in the transgender individual
14: Legal, ethical and rights consideration in protecting the child with intersex traits
15: Transphobic discrimination and health
16: Societal experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
17: Implementing LGBTQ curricula into health professional education
- Edition: 2
- Latest edition
- Published: March 1, 2027
- Language: English
ML
Marianne Legato J
Dr. Marianne Legato, Emerita Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University, is an internationally known academic physician, author, lecturer, and specialist in gender-specific medicine. She is founding member of the International Society for Gender Medicine and the founder and director of The Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University and its next iteration, The Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine. She has published extensively on gender and sex specific medicine, both for the scientific community and for the lay public. She is also the founding editor of the Journal Gender Medicine, and the journal Gender and the Genome. In 1992, Dr. Legato won the American Heart Association’s Blakeslee Award for the best book written for the lay public on cardiovascular disease. The third edition of her textbook, Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine and her most recent book, The Plasticity of Sex., both won Prose awards from the American Association of Editors in 2021 and 2022 respectively. She is a practicing internist in New York City and has been listed each year in New York Magazine and Castle Connolly’s lists "Best Doctors" since their inception in 1993.
Affiliations and expertise
Emerita Professor, Clinical Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and Adjunct Professor, Medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School