Books
Genetics For Dummies, 345 pg
Tara Rodden Robinson, PhD
Despite the title, this is an excellent introduction to the subject of genetics.
Junk DNA: A Journey Through the Dark Matter of the Genome, 288 pg
Nessa Carey
Our genes comprise only 2% of our total DNA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of it is unimportant. Originally dismissed as “Junk DNA,” it turns out that it has profound influences on how our genes respond (or don’t respond).
The Epigenetics Revolution, 312 pg
Nessa Carey
This is a deep dive into the other 98% of our DNA.
Sex/Gender – Biology In A Social World, 123 pg
Anna Fausto-Sterling
Sex/Gender presents a relatively new way to think about how biological difference can be produced over time in response to different environmental and social experiences. This book gives a clearly written explanation of the biological and cultural underpinnings of gender.
The Male Brain, 177 pg
Louann Brizendine, M.D.
This and the companion book explore the developmental processes and functional differences between the brains of males and females. Based on 25 years of research using function MRI’s and PET scans, this book explores the different stages of development of the brain and the effects of hormonal levels over a person’s life.
The Female Brain, 209 pg
Louann Brizendine, M.D.
This and the companion book explore the developmental processes and functional differences between the brains of males and females. Based on 25 years of research using function MRI’s and PET scans, this book explores the different stages of development of the brain and the effects of hormonal levels over a person’s life.
Evolution’s Rainbow, 407 pg
Joan Roughgarden
A Professor Emeritus of Biology at Stanford University, Roughgarden examines the existence of multiple genders in both the animal and human world. The first part of the book catalogs the amazing diversity in the animal kingdom. The second part examines the genetic basis for gender in humans. And the third examines the historical record of multiple genders across many cultures in the world.
The Gene, 495 pg
Siddhartha Mukherjee
Genome, 313 pg
Matt Ridley
An interesting approach to talking about the genome by picking one gene off of each chromosome and going into depth on it. Lots of interesting history, too. However, in the last two chapters the author kind of went off the rails and started talking about political philosophy.
Videos
Biological Ideas Relating To Genetic Variation
The Science of Gender – a video presentation by Linden Jordan
Web Articles
Chromosomes Fact Sheet
from the National Human Genome Research Institute of NIH
Sex biology redefined: Article suggests that genes don’t indicate binary sexes
Human Sex Chromosomes Are Sloppy DNA Swappers
A Review of the Status of Brain Structure Research in Transsexualism
Neuroimaging studies in people with gender incongruence
Sex redefined
The idea of two sexes is simplistic. Biologists now think there is a wider spectrum than that.
When the perfect woman is genetically male
Genetic Link Between Gender Dysphoria and Sex Hormone Signaling
New Study Suggests Structural Brain Differences in Transgender Women
Research on the Transgender Brain: What You Should Know
Skeletal Studies Show Sex, Like Gender, Exists Along a Spectrum
Stop Using Phony Science to Justify Transphobia
Stop Calling it a Choice: Biological Factors Drive Homosexuality
In a recent issue of Science magazine, geneticist Andrea Ganna at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and colleagues, describe the largest survey to date for genes associated with same-sex behavior. By analyzing the DNA of nearly half a million people from the U.S. and the U.K., they concluded that genes account for between 8% and 25% of same-sex behavior.
Radiolab Presents: Gonads
This is a series of very entertaining podcasts delving into the mysterious world of human reproduction