Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals' perspectives on research seeking genetic variants associated with TGD identities: a qualitative study.

Abstract

Recent genetic research has explored how genetic variants may contribute to gender dysphoria and transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) identities. When investigating communities that have been marginalized, it is important for researchers to incorporate perspectives of the communities the research is targeting. Therefore, investigators should incorporate the TGD community's opinions into this research to mitigate potential ethical issues, given the history of pathologization of TGD identities and utilization of genetics for eugenics. The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of TGD individuals about trans-associated genetic research (TAGR). Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the TGD community to explore how TGD individuals view TAGR. Through inductive content analysis, five major themes were emergent: (1) TAGR could affect self-perception of identity; (2) TAGR could affect external views of TGD people; (3) TAGR could affect access to gender-affirming services; (4) TAGR could contribute to the pathologization and elimination of TGD identities; and (5) researchers should consult TGD community members and consider ethical concerns before conducting research. Participants highlighted concerns about TAGR being used as a tool for discrimination. Those who identified potential advantages of TAGR gave warning that TAGR would be unlikely to solely have positive effects. It is important for genetic researchers to prioritize the perspectives and concerns of TGD people highlighted in this study. Research about the TGD community needs to include TGD individuals as core members of the research team. Moreover, due to the serious ethical issues outlined in this study, TAGR should be reconsidered altogether.