Overview

• Duke University researchers assisted a 50-year-old transgender grandmother in breastfeeding her grandchild through hormone treatment, marking a novel case of lactation induction.
• The individual, moved to tears by the experience, reported a special bond with the grandchild and highlighted the emotional significance of breastfeeding.
• Critics argue the study disrupts natural mother-child bonding and raises ethical concerns about consent and the use of children in gender medicine research.
• The study, published in Breastfeeding Medicine, did not report any side effects from the treatment but has drawn criticism for potentially overlooking the health risks to the baby.
• This case is the fifth reported instance of a trans-identifying male inducing lactation, with previous studies using drug regimens not approved in the US.