Ideas worth spreading

The weird history of the "sex chromosomes"

1,640,351 views | Molly Webster • TED@NAS

The common thinking on biological sex goes like this: females have two X chromosomes in their cells, while males have one X and one Y. In this myth-busting talk, science writer and podcaster Molly Webster shows why the so-called "sex chromosomes" are more complicated than this simple definition -- and reveals why we should think about them differently.

The common thinking on biological sex goes like this: females have two X chromosomes in their cells, while males have one X and one Y. In this myth-busting talk, science writer and podcaster Molly Webster shows why the so-called "sex chromosomes" are more complicated than this simple definition -- and reveals why we should think about them differently.

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with The Kavli Foundation, the Simons Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about the TED Institute.

Learn more about the National Science Foundation's mission to advance the progress of science.

About the speaker

Molly Webster

Sex chromosome editor

See speaker profile

As a guest host and features producer at WNYC's "Radiolab," Molly Webster has investigated everything from international surrogacy to metamorphosis.

Sarah S. Richardson | University of Chicago Press, 2013 | Book

Sex Itself: The Search for Male and Female in the Human Genome

This book outlines the history of the discovery and naming of the "sex chromosomes." It also has deeper details about XYY and other ways in which we've attached emotional and cultural meaning to these chromosomes.

Ruth Padawer | New York Times, 2016 | Article

"The Humiliating Practice of Sex-Testing Female Athletes"

This article delves into the history of determining "sex" in sports. It looks at the history of sex testing at the national and international level and the implications of that today. Though written a few years ago, it remains a definitive story and some of the women featured in the piece are still in the midst of the controversy about testosterone testing in female sports.

María José Martínez-Patiño | The Lancet, 2005 | Article

"Personal Account: A woman tried and tested"

Told by the author herself, this article is Dr. Martínez-Patiño’s personal story of being genetically tested as a female athlete and the effect such testing had on her career and in her personal life.

A.A. Sandberg | The Lancet, 1961 | Article

"An XYY Human Male"

This is the first reporting of an XYY male. It also demonstrates some of the other X/Y combos out there. You can find a clip of the original publication here.

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About TED Institute

Every year, TED works with a group of select companies and foundations to identify internal ideators, inventors, connectors, and creators. Drawing on the same rigorous regimen that has prepared speakers for the TED main stage, TED Institute works closely with each partner, overseeing curation and providing intensive one-on-one talk development to sharpen and fine tune ideas. The culmination is an event produced, recorded, and hosted by TED, generating a growing library of valuable TED Talks that can spur innovation and transform organizations.

Read more about the TED Institute

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with The Kavli Foundation, the Simons Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about the TED Institute.

Learn more about the National Science Foundation's mission to advance the progress of science.