Fixing Sex: Intersex, Medical Authority, and Lived Experience |
Fixing Sex: Intersex, Medical Authority, and Lived Experience, a book by Stanford
bioethicist
Katrina Karkazis, was published in 2008. Described as "thoughtful", "meticulous", and an "authoritative treatise on intersex",
[1] the book examines the perspectives of
intersex people, their families, and clinicians to offer compassionate look at the treatment of people born with atypical sex characteristics.
Synopsis
In a scholarly work, Karkazis draws heavily on interviews with intersex adults, parents, and physicians to explore how intersex is understood and treated. In part 1, she reviews the history of treatment for intersex traits, highlighting the work of
organizations
.
Reception
The book has been well received by both clinicians and intersex groups. Gary Berkovitz, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine states that Karkazis's analysis is fair, compelling, and eloquent; "Current consensus guidelines recommend early separation of the vagina and urethra for female subjects with abnormalities in the formation of the sex organs... Karkazis presents a compelling argument for the deferment of subsequent surgery until the patient is able to decide."
[2] Elizabeth Reis, reviewing the book in the
American Journal of Bioethics, states that the book identifies risk of incontinence, fistulas, scarring and lack of physical sensation arising from surgical intervention, and the psychological harm caused by the knowledge that "one's genitals are 'wrong,' requiring constant medical scrutiny and 'fixing'. It "masterfully examines the concerns and fears of all those with a stake in the intersex debate: physicians, parents, intersex adults, and activists. ... Karkazis’s honest, multi-pronged approach poses critical questions."
[4] Mijeon in the
American Journal of Human Genetics writes that the "conclusion is quite fitting", "the history of thinking about the body ... can be highly politicized and controversial".
[3] Kenneth Copeland, former president of the
Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, describes the book as "Masterfully balancing all aspects of one of the most polarizing, contentious topics in medicine... the most recent authoritative treatise on intersex."
[1]
Organisation Intersex International Australia regards the book as "approachable," "compelling and recommended reading".
[6]The book was referenced by Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia, a 2013 report of a committee of the
Senate of Australia in 2013.
[7]Awards and recognition
The book was nominated for the
Lambda Literary Award, 2009.
[1]References
- ^ a b c d Katrina Karkazis, PhD, MPH Archived 2013-12-26 at the Wayback Machine, Stanford University School of Medicine Center for Biomedical Ethics, 2013
- ^ a b Fixing Sex: Intersex, Medical Authority, and Lived Experience, New England Journal of Medicine, April 16, 2009. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMbkrev0805101.
- ^ a b Fixing Sex: Intersex, Medical Authority, and Lived Experience, Claude Migeon in American Journal of Human Genetics, June 12, 2009; 84(6): 718-727. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.04.022.
- ^ Review of Katrina Karkazis, Fixing Sex: Intersex, Medical Authority, and Lived Experience, Elizabeth Reis in American Journal of Bioethics, Volume 9, issue 6, 2009. DOI:10.1080/15265160902790617
- ^ Fixing Sex, Kalahari.com
Organisation Intersex International Australia
, 26 January 2010
Senate of Australia
, October 2013.
External links
