Sex or gender? CMAJ 1997;156:1695 In response to: K.L. Smith, I.S. Tummon Ms. Smith and Dr. Tummon raise interesting points. However, the term "sex ratio" has specific meaning within the discipline of reproductive toxicology; in order to communicate with other researchers in this field, standard terminology is required. Sex ratio is a parameter used to monitor biologic health in animal and human populations and refers to the ratio of biologic males to biologic females. In this case, "gender" is not a substitute for "sex" for, although "gender" may imply the biologic makeup of an individual, this is not necessarily so. By using the term "gender" in science, and in toxicology in particular, there is a risk of confusion over whether it pertains to biologic sex or to the masculinization or feminization of that individual. Within toxicology this is a very important distinction, which implies different mechanisms of action. Using "gender" would lead to misclassification problems. The term "sex ratio" was developed to determine whether or not there is stability within a species as a whole, not to identify whether the specific subsets within the definition (females and males) are increasing or decreasing. Instability is of greater concern to toxicologists. Although the authors' point regarding "loaded language" is well taken, the article uses terms that have well-defined, well-utilized and very specific meanings in biology and toxicology; none is subjective. Until there are widely accepted neutral terms and language, science cannot afford any type of misclassification of an extremely important outcome. Bruce B. Allan, MD Resident Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Foothills Hospital University of Calgary Calgary, Alta. Send a letter to the editor responding to this letter Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cette lettre | CMAJ June 15, 1997 (vol 156, no 12) / JAMC le 15 juin 1997 (vol 156, no 12) |