Embracing Male Pregnancy Research

Male Pregnancy Research/Experimentation Should Be Embraced

There has been debate on whether it is acceptable for a person who was born as a male to become pregnant. Further, it would also be prudent to note that there has been the generally embraced viewpoint that only individuals with a womb can become pregnant. The male reproductive organs are, from a biological perspective, different from those of their female counterparts. However, not all individuals who were assigned as male at birth identify as male. There are also individuals who are assigned as females at birth, but end up identifying as male. Such individuals are recognized as transgender in the society. There is another group of women who are referred as cisgender (Lefevor 385). These are women who identify as men but do not move across genders. Such women are similar to transgender. The argument here is that there is nothing womanly about conception. There is no body part which is specifically gendered. If a person’s body can gestate a fetus, then it’s up to them to make a baby if they wish to. Men who end up becoming transgenders move across genders by engaging in hormone therapy. This means that they end up having various characteristics including enlarged breasts, carrying a uterus, broadening of hips and having monthly periods.

There have been transgender individuals who report barriers in their efforts to access healthcare. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has in the past called upon obstetrician gynecologists to mitigate the barriers that transgenders experience in the society by assisting with gender transition (Light 1123). Transgender men are individuals who were assigned the female gender at birth, but later on end up identifying as men. These individuals may choose to keep their uterus and not continue with their testosterone therapy. Light argues that in The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, there has been very little attention paid to the health and reproductive experiences of transgender men (1127).

To a large extent, engaging in male pregnancy research is one way of understanding transgender men experiences with fertility and pregnancy. It is important to note that at present, there is very little scientific research describing the experience of transgender with pregnancy (Light 1123). One advantage of research of this nature is that it will enable health care providers to evaluate pre and post transition discussions and their effect on fertility options. Health care providers will also be able to establish the role of cross sex hormones and potential birth outcomes of transgenders.

While it may seem like a novel idea in some quarters, there is need to note that there has indeed been some research conducted in this realm in the past. In one such study was, a team from Naval Medical University in Shanghai sought to explore on the possibility of male animals bearing children (Sentinel 22). The study made use of a male mouse as the sample - which was artificially fertilized. According to the scientists, the male mouse was able to conceive. Despite the research not being capable of elaborating the ramifications for human beings, it helped shed light on the subject or issue of whether the uterus could be transplanted into a transgender woman. Such research gives hope to transgenders who wish they could have their own children. The research had a profound impact on reproductive biology. In the normal human cultural setup and understanding, male pregnancy is an unusual occurrence. In the past, it has been deemed a taboo subject. As a matter of fact, even in the larger animal kingdom, male pregnancies are largely common among the Syngnathidae which is a fish family composed of seahorses, pipefishes, and sea dragons. Things are, however, changing. Changes in societal perspectives regarding male pregnancy are a clear indication that male pregnancy experimentation should be embraced (Warmflash 14). Advances made on the possibility of male pregnancies are of immense relevance to transgender people, and the larger transgender community, whose interests we must not neglect.

There are women who are born without a uterus and are stigmatized because of their inability to give birth. They share the same fate with men who lack a uterus but would wish to give birth. The importance of male pregnancy experimentations is that it would also benefit such kind of women. This is more so the case given that the same way a man would have a uterus implanted into her body is the very same way that a women born without a uterus would have a uterus implanted. Thus, it could be argued that male pregnancy experimentation does not only benefit transgenders who would want to give birth. Instead, it also gives hope to women born without a womb but would want to have a womb transplanted into their bodies for purposes of child birth.

A surgeon from Beijing has in the past been quoted saying that is looking for a number of men who would want to give pregnancy a shot. The doctor, going by the name Chen, argues that his aim is to ensure that transsexuals have the right to deliver their own babies (China.Org.). As appealing as the surgeon’s statement may seem to some in the progressive realm, calling upon men, in a ‘wholesale’ format, to partake in a role that has traditionally been deemed to be that of women could be a tall order. Male pregnancy may arouse social issues – particularly in conservative societies such as China. Experiments and studies which seek to challenge this long-held perspective might come in handy going forward.

Male pregnancy research has largely been conducted using animals – specifically rats, as is often the case in most of medical research. In an experiment by Nature World News, male rats were found to have the capability to conceive (15). However, there were abnormal deceased fetuses which had different shapes and/or color compared to normal fetuses. It could be argued that encouraging further research in this realm, i.e. by attracting substantial external funding from wealthy persons or governments, could aid in research efforts to establish the cause of such a phenomenon and if there are ways to mitigate adverse outcomes such as those identified. At present, however, ethical standards strongly discourage human trials of this nature. In addition to the concerns highlighted above, there are also a number of other issues that could be raised in relation to research into viability of routine male pregnancies. One such issue is whether there is an appropriate regulatory framework to advance an agenda of this nature. There is need to establish whether jurisdictions would embrace this particular move. Ethics may also come into play on this front as a consequence of the sway that civil societies and other rights groups hold in government circles. Ethics is, in essence, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. As per the utilitarian approach, an action is wrong when it brings more problems than it seeks to solve. There is need to query where male pregnancy stands on this front so as to determine whether it would gain acceptance across the board.

Continued research on male pregnancy is a sign that the society is slowly discarding its harsh perspectives and viewpoints about the subject. There are, however, many other people who are firmly rooted in their culture and religion and do not believe that it is a right course of action in the modern society. Some in the society could still be at pains to explain how a person born as male would want to carry a pregnancy. The harsh perceptions could be blamed on minimal facts about the psychology of sexuality as well as male pregnancy. Continuous research on both – especially on male pregnancy - is one way to provide the said facts. At present, transgender men feel sidelined and discriminated for their choices. From a collective point of view, the society appears to be deprived of emotional intelligence and has put in place behavioral guidelines to be adhered to without necessarily taking into consideration the perspectives of those who do not share the generally held viewpoints. Despite efforts made by enthusiastic researchers to explore male pregnancies, the society itself serves as an obstacle to embracing the new technology. Today, transgender and non-gender conforming populations are officially recognized as health disparity populations. However, transgender men and transmasculine individuals still experience obstacles with regard to pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy and childbirth are perceived as important for cultural constructions of womanhood – whether for those born female or for those who identify as female despite having been assigned the male gender at birth.

It could be said that pregnancy status and assumptions exclude transgender people from freely expressing themselves in the society. This has the effect of impeding male pregnancy research (Besse 45). Societal norms and misconceptions are the major reason male pregnancy experimentation may not be embraced any time soon. The inability of the society to embrace male pregnancy experimentation is a drawback for many people. Preventing male pregnancy experimentation prevents rightful members of the society from experiencing the affection and connection one would ordinarily have with their child. Pregnancy, just like dress code, could be deemed an individual choice. Further, people have a right to affiliate themselves with whatever gender they fancy as long as their enjoyment of this right does not necessarily interfere with other people’s enjoyment of individual rights and liberties. Thus, in effect, this means that people who choose to get pregnant should have the right to do so despite their gender. Such persons should have access to the best services and the much needed psychological as well as physiological support. Male pregnancy research goes a long way in efforts to accomplish this feat.