Overview

• President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January mandating a federal review of gender-affirming care for minors with a May 1 deadline.
• The review, led by MIT philosophy professor Alex Byrne and other mostly liberal authors, found that evidence supporting puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors is very weak.
• Byrne said initial concerns of White House interference proved unfounded and stressed the report’s independent, nonpartisan methodology.
• After publication, Byrne faced activist pressure and personal attacks from some philosophers, including accusations of contributing to a “project of extermination.”
• Authors urge a more open scientific approach to youth gender medicine, advocating for regular reevaluation and resistance to in-group pressures.