As editor, I'm always pleased when an article in Stanford Medicine magazine creates a buzz. And I'm especially glad when the story has the power to help people live healthier, happier lives.
The new issue includes one story that has opened up discussion about a topic that's rarely aired - the anguish and controversy over "fixing" the sex of children born with ambiguous gender (a condition known as a disorder of sex development, or DSD). The usual approach in the United States has been to use surgery during infancy to make the sex clear cut - but now, as is detailed in our story by freelance writer Dianne Klein, this is being questioned.
The magazine came out just a few days ago, and we've already heard from readers thanking us for the article. One wrote to say:
Such articles are so important to get information out and share more than one side of the debate so maybe one day there won’t be so much secrecy and shame attached to DSDs.
And at least one major news outlet, ABC News, has used the article as a starting point for its own conversation on the issue.
I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Previously: New Stanford Medicine magazine explores bioethics