The further deconstruction of sex and gender: a synthesis of biology and philosophy of science

Recent frontier research in biology has demonstrated that the concept of “sex,” which we commonly refer to in our daily lives, comprises a collection of traits that are either developmentally or evolutionarily unrelated or only weakly related. There is no fixed standard for determining whether a trait qualifies as “sex” or whether it falls under the category of “gender.” Therefore, the concepts of sex/gender, as well as the binary division between biological and social concepts, are not scientific facts but rather models constructed by humans. This reasoning similarly applies to concepts such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and transgenders, as their definitions rely on the distinctions between sex and gender. This insight prompts us to consider the feasibility and necessity of further deconstructing the sex-gender continuum. Additionally, we further analysed the inherent tensions within the current mainstream frameworks surrounding gender and sex, highlighting significant issues regarding their lack of inclusivity. This analysis reveals that the existing framework often fails to account for the diverse and multifaceted experiences of individuals, thereby marginalising many identities and expressions. Instead, we propose replacing these constructs with a more inclusive framework that acknowledges and embraces the complexities of human identity.