Testosterone may make us different

Testosterone is in the courts these days, mostly as those with financial and performance interests in athletics try to figure out the math of two genders turning into the sliding scales of identity.

In a major litigation, families of women competing for college scholarships have sued, claiming trans athletes are taking their hard-won spots (Title IX is not that old, and is still contested on whether it's achieved fairness--perhaps trans athlete needs will damage it as all the extra burden falls on the women covered by the rules).

And, there are competitive complaints.   If you're an athlete who regularly won every event you entered, and now you're finishing third--it really matters if you believe your competitors belong in the race with you.   Men don't have to worry about this; only women athletes do.

And, there's testosterone.   Various bodies are considering whether genetic women with high levels of testosterone should be kept out of major events.   Some athletic associations require testosterone reduction treatment for these "normal yet exceptional" women.   That seems inhumane and far to close to genetic engineering for many to stomach.

I was surprised to learn how far apart men and woman are:

“Normal” T ranges: 

• For men—10.4 to 34.7 nanomoles (300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). 
• For women—0.5 to 2.4 nanomoles (15 to 70 ng/dL).

My default stance on gender battles has always been that cis men and women have far more in common than they have oppositional points.   When you look at these numbers, however,you have to question my default position.   

We are almost different animals.   Amazingly, from a lay reading, biologists aren't completely certain that this difference is what creates the traditionally (bad) male habits of aggression, anger, violence, and addictive competitiveness.   But it appears that way.

Now I'm thinking; it's a wonder any of us get along at all.