PARIS, August 20, 2009 (AFP) – The gender test ordered up for the South African wunderkind who grabbed 800-meter gold this week could reveal any of several genetic disorders resulting in a physically ambiguous sexual identity, experts say. Being born with unusual chromosomes is not, which raises the uncomfortable possibility that an athlete could be stripped of a gold medal because of her — or his — genes. But her blistering speed and masculine physique raised doubts about her sexuality, prompting the IAAF — acting, perhaps, after a challenge from a national federation — to call for a closer look. The IAAF and other sports authorities — notably the International Olympic Committee — have not always been so nuanced in determining sexuality. This policy was quickly dropped in favor of a simple genetic test from saliva samples to determine whether an athlete had two "X" chromosomes (a woman) or "X" and "Y" chromosomes (a man). But the technique was deeply flawed, and failed to account for a previously unsuspected wide range of sexual variation that is now often called "intersex" — "being born somewhere between the sexes," in the words of Michelle O’Brien, a board member of the International Intersex Organisation. read more
[Tags], iaaf, chromosomes, female, gender, called, weight loss news[/Tags]
