Name: Is anatomy destiny?
Uploaded: 2011-06-10T15:28:00Z
Duration: 18 min 31 s
Description: Alice Dreger works with people at the edge of anatomy, such as conjoined twins and intersexed people. In her observation, it's often a fuzzy line between male and female, among other anatomical distinctions. Which brings up a huge question: Why do we let our anatomy determine our fate?

Alice Dreger works with people at the edge of anatomy, such as conjoined twins and intersexed people. In her observation, it's often a fuzzy line between male and female, among other anatomical distinctions. Which brings up a huge question: Why do we let our anatomy determine our fate?

Is anatomy destiny?

Our bodies often defy simple categories, from intersex individuals with surprising combinations of chromosomes and anatomy to twins born conjoined as one. Attempts to fit people into neat anatomical boxes can lead to unnecessary surgeries and legal inequalities that persist into adulthood. As science reveals just how blurry these categories are, society faces tough questions about using anatomy as the basis for rights and identities. True democracy may require moving past physical differences to focus on shared humanity and relationships.