How You Know You're in Love: Epigenetics, Stress & Gender Identity | Karissa Sanbonmatsu | TEDxABQ

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Social interactions alter DNA (‘epigenetics’). Revealing how her own gender transition led her down the path of epigenetics, Scientist Karissa Sanbonmatsu takes us on a journey to DNA rave parties and the science of love. Following Laverne Cox, Geena Rocero and Janet Mock, Dr. Sanbonmatsu comes out as a transgendered woman in her talk. She argues that long RNA molecules (DNA’s molecular cousins) may unlock the secrets of epigenetics and someday help with autism, addiction and Alzheimers'.
Dr. Sanbonmatsu is a principal investigator at Los Alamos National Laboratory (www.t6.lanl.gov/kys). After studying electromagnetic turbulence above the aurora borealis, Dr. Sanbonmatsu shifted to bioscience, investigating the molecular machine that implements the genetic code. Two years ago, her team mapped a long gender-related RNA molecule that might be involved in reprogramming DNA. With increasing evidence that DNA can be permanently altered by the environment of the womb and by social interactions after birth, Dr. Sanbonmatsu is unlocking secrets of RNA molecules that may control these processes.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@lovemecom3832]

This is interesting and inspiring topic. When you falling in love, all the impossible things become possible, your way of thinking turns into positive things. You can't really explain the feeling of being in love. That feeling is the best feeling that everyone could be experienced.

[@sportyspice7847]

You become less afraid when you’re in love❤️ Maybe… even run across the road like a crazy person 🤣😇

[@MiriamPacheco-pw5vk]

@@sofiarribass You are so right! LOVE is not a chemistry lesson, people really need to stop becoming so complex with everything and just enjoy life. If anyone has a question how do you know your in love, than one has never been in love....

[@aaronb1331]

THE GENDER DOES COME FROM NATURE EVEN IF THE HUMAN PUT IT IN BOOKS OR NOT, THE GENDER IDENTITY COMES FROM THE HUMAN MIND AND INVENTION IT'S NOT REALITY NO MATTER HOW MANY WORDS OR FEELING JUSTIFY IT.

[@tkogeary3511]

Being a critic is easy. Being authentic and outspoken takes courage. Congrats!

[@aaronb1331]

THE GENDER DOES COME FROM NATURE EVEN IF THE HUMAN PUT IT IN BOOKS OR NOT, THE GENDER IDENTITY COMES FROM THE HUMAN MIND AND INVENTION IT'S NOT REALITY NO MATTER HOW MANY WORDS OR FEELING JUSTIFY IT.

[@zakaryhudson]

These type of speeches fascinate me. I'm glad to see I'm not the only trans person who is enamored. Amazing job Dr. Sanbonmatsu, your speech completely captivated me.

[@mts2457]

I watched the whole video and was upset at the end when there wasn't an answer

[@tookool4school]

+mts2457 When lysine 4 on histone 3 at the ocytocin receptor gene is chemically modified.

[@richl9268]

+Bananasauce oxytocin

[@nimim.markomikkila1673]

+mts2457 She said, we don´t know yet. But then again, when you have a certain kinda strange feeling, and these words pop into you head: "(I think) I´m in love!" That might be it, from the subjective perspective:)

[@TheSpiker4sure]

I don't know about you but I know when I get a rock hard boner every time she comes near me.

[@lilmax6927]

finn bell Stupid. idioté

[@leenah199]

Your explanation of biochemistry is a gift especially when you highlighted how RNA is different from DNA. Thank you for your talk.

[@adityasinha8089]

Wasn't the kind of talk I was expecting, but you're amazing! Keep it up.

[@kllycolorado6500]

I can't even begin to understand the hate directed towards someone solely because he or she is transgender. Very disappointing.

[@limitless4249]

Calm, controled voice. She is an awesome speaker.

[@mts2457]

Ashley Montana isn't it more like s/he?

[@federtm2]

Ashley Montana I couldn't finish the video because her voice... Disagree.

[@federtm2]

Yes, of course. I was replying to the comment of 'calmed controlled voice, awesome speaker...' and so on. Probably the content is quite good.

[@limitless4249]

Marc Molina There is nothing wrong about not agreeing with other people on opinions. Cheers! :)

[@sandramoreno8962]

Jenny Amy Ong 999llll.p

[@yuchenzhou8952]

One of the best Ted talks I've ever seen. Great presentation and personality!

[@fionacarroll359]

Yuchen Zhou I disagree.

[@user-vi1dl3xg4g]

she is so adorable :)

[@LifeStyleTherapy]

In many ways, how much you miss a person reflects how interdependent your lives have become. If you are questioning whether you love someone, perhaps consider how much you miss him or her when you’re apart. I made a video in my channel about 5 signs of being in love you can watch it

[@zumbamami17]

Great job! I am going to show a part of this to my students...you make epigenetics a little easier to understand...lets hope it helps my students too!

[@ascientistone]

Thank you Sabrina! You are an amazing scientist and zumba master! Can't wait for my next sesh w Sabrina's Z Crew!!!

[@stephaniepappas8906]

Karissa, I was at the event and was so inspired by your presentation! I'm inspired by you personally and professionally and appreciate the journey you so courageously and compassionately walk. To do this research that is so cutting edge and furthers tests the boundaries of what traditional science has thought is inspiring. To do this as a transgender person is beyond inspiring. Thank you and You Go Girl!!!

[@Valchrist1313]

Why is something different because a transgender person did it?

[@johnkrois]

I know what you mean. But I also know that it always is/was difficult to do something when people judge you because of your appearance. Actually science is one of those areas where e.g. being a woman has long been a factor that made it difficult for results to even being noticed. There are cases where the changing of a name meant that a book or idea could became relevant in the first place. So yes, being transgender doesn't make the result better or worse, but doing it, making yourself heard, can be a more diffficult process!

[@SophiaTeTricht]

Karissa, as a transgender woman who is not out full-time and as a science student and as an aspiring engineer, it is easy to become overwhelmed and intimidated by the idea of being transgender in a culture of predominantly men who seem to demand evidence in all things. I had, in fact, recently become convinced that I would never be accepted as my authentic, actual self, due in part to an apparent lack of solid scientific evidence that transgenderism is not a choice. Disclaimer: this line of thinking may have been hatched during a particularly unpleasant bout of dysphoria... Your example is inspiring and uplifting to someone who is struggling with Calculus (yeah, I'm that girl) not to mention love, and on top of it convinced that she'll never fit in among scientists. It's so cool that you decided to come out on stage at a TEDx event. That is an *epic* coming out story. Also, epigenetics sounds like an amazing field of study. Continue to rock!

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I'm so glad the talk resonated with you. I can definitely relate to your story! It's hard, but the world has changed so much in just the past 6 months since the Katie Couric event with Laverne Cox and Carmen Carrera. There is solid evidence, but I hope to find much more. See Zhou, et al. Nature 1995, "A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality", where they find the sex activity center in the brains of females to be 40% smaller than males. And they find transgender women's brains like us are much more similar to females than males! There are also many functional MRI studies in more recent years. Myself, I needed scientific evidence before I made the many irreversible decisions for surgeries etc. So, I had my neuroscience friends go through the publications and they were convinced! What kind of science and engineering are you interested in? What do you find most daunting about the transition process?

[@SophiaTeTricht]

I'm an aerospace engineering student. Actually, my major is commercial space operations, but my minor is high performance vehicles, which is a mechanical engineering discipline. I'm also involved in self-study and aerospace engineering projects on campus. Transition... Well, probably the most daunting thing for me is finding a job. Employment protections are great, but there are a million ways around that. Also, dealing with my parents is really nerve-wracking. They're... not supportive.

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Sophia Te Tricht Thank you so much for the reply! Aerospace engineering - Ah-mazing! What an awesome area of study with a bright future. I did my Ph. D. at University of Colorado at Boulder - they have a fantastic aerospace engineering program with astronaut alumni.. and you can't beat the skiing/snowboarding! What drew you to aerospace engineering? Transition.. family members are so hard. I showed my parents Lynn Conway's website on successful transgender people and we watched 'transgeneration' together. We also watched Geena Rocero's amazing TED talk together recently. They were like, "oh, a lot of people have done this, look great and are successful." I am struggling with a relative who is very important to me and I know how hard it is. Even though you know they have a lot of their own issues, it doesn't make it any easier. It seems like they don't realize the impact their rejection has on you. Let's "hang in there", together, ok? :) While there is a lot of job discrimination, the world is changing before our eyes. Many fortune 500 companies are worried about their HRC score, measuring their support for LGBT. I heard that since many hired a lot of LG of the years they are now lacking in T and actually offering to pay for surgeries as a recruitment incentive. Have you heard of any success stories or failure stories in aerospace engineering?

[@SophiaTeTricht]

I was drawn to aerospace engineering in 2009 when the Cassini probe passed through the plumes of salt water shooting out of the southern pole of Enceladus. I saw the images from the probe and from that moment, I knew that space was all I ever wanted to do with my life. I still remember everything about that moment. I was in the Navy, in Miami, and I was on watch. It was about 9:00 in the evening and I was on an eternal hold waiting for a painfully pointless conference call when the link popped up in my facebook feed. Hanging in with the family... Right now I need to keep my family close in case I need to move back in with them after school. But I'm about this close to being completely done with them after that. Seriously, I don't need this from them. It's great that the job market is becoming more accepting, but as yet I'm not aware of any specific instances of success in the aerospace industry. Boeing apparently has a very good transition program for existing employees. Nominally, so does Lockheed Martin, but I know at least one Lockheed employee who was fired soon after her coming out. Getting in the door is what concerns me, since in the end, it's all about the impression you leave with a person. The company can say "great transgender health benefits" all day long, but if the hiring manager doesn't like transgender people, it's so easy for them to think of some BS but legitimate sounding reason for passing over them, up to and including "I just didn't think they were the right person for the job." That's my fear, anyway. I went to the school's career fair last year and the reception I got there wasn't negative. Surprise, confusion, clearly put them off of their cadence. No job, though. Which is more a function of it being my first semester there than anything else. The school is really bad about bringing in commercial space companies, though. This year we had Orbital Sciences. That's it. Boeing showed up, but they weren't hiring for commercial space. Only aero engineering majors and business types. So I don't really have a good feel for the commercial space industry.

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Sophia Te Tricht On family, try to remember that when you do gender transition, you are asking everyone around you to transition too. This was so hard for me to realize but in the end, I understand. - On jobs, where there's a will, there's a way! I think in most fields, it's all about networking - you need an 'in'. Try to go to conferences, meet people and make connections. Amanda Simpson, the first transgender presidential appointee, was openly transgender at Raytheon, where she was Deputy Director and Senior Program Manager leading teams developing advanced technology in the Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems Product Line.- On aerospace engineering, what an amazing story! Incredible! It's so great that you discovered your passion. Do you have any specific long term goals in mind now? I was obsessed with mars curiosity last summer!

[@tobiasfaez2842]

I love how she begins.

[@gothicenigma]

This woman is a genius. C: An awesome genius.

[@chicomendez3720]

That was an amazing presentation !!! Dr.Sanbonmasu with all my heart and sincerity....applaud and admire you....and your research ! Beautiful !! It touched me...made me realize something about me,and my life in general. Past 3 years I realized I have depression, actually longer at least 10 years . But just in the last 3 years got some help.When I started to get suicidal thoughts, it became worse,to the point of planning it.I decided to get help,during one of the sessions with my psychiatrist we hit this topic.I recall maybe falling in love maybe 2-3 times,I've been in my relationship for 15-20 yrs we have 2 kids( son:10,daughter: teenager 15) I have been with lots of women, all over single and during my relationships not proud to say I've always been unfaithful,and suffered consequences.I'm sad to say I lost my love for my common- law,and probably never did love her.Don't get me wrong ...I will always take care of her and kids for the rest of our lives support her and kids in any way....after all she will always be the mother of my only kids. Sadly the main reason I never asked her to marry me,I'm always looking for love everywhere else, I also realized that I always have trouble with love affection,stress,feelings,etc..and this stems,way back......my mother and father. They never showed any affection,communication,stress etc...towards each other,or my brother and I. I'm repeating the pattern just like they did with their parents,from all the family stories I hear....my dad, grandfather,great grandfather, acted the same way I did. I try to be different...with my kids at first I was cold ,but then swore to my self, I don't want to be like my parents and now I adore them not a day goes by when I don't hug them, kiss them, tell them how proud I am of them,how much I love them,ask them if they have any problems, and always kiss and tuck them at night.My son is affectionate,hugs,kisses,etc...my daughter on the other hand is the opposite. I guess she has my gene and since she's the oldest, see's her mom and I cold, no affection,etc... and sadly picking up traits,examples, learning from us ?

[@livvymaher1162]

Gave me goosebumps - you can feel the love. Great audience

[@Starcross42]

Boots and Pants and Klingon in the same TED talk. Well done.

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Thank you for teaching me high school physics and helping me get into Columbia College! Go Oswego High!

[@acidhand1016]

Karissa Sanbonmatsu yes i remember his jokes about Ladas. A funny man he was, intelligent and funny. fuckin Ladas

[@n.fer.2596]

So interesting! I looooooooooooove your sunny disposition!

[@makemedisappearx]

Your talk was great, you radiate such positive energy! :)

[@laurevandenbroeck8857]

I think you did a great job! It's a funny, adorable and awesome TED talk. I appreciate you!

[@gregmaslyn]

Thank you for this incredibly accessible talk. I didn't have any idea that epigenetics even existed! I also applaud your courage. All the best! :)

[@KathePerez]

Karissa, it has been a joy to be a witness to your brilliance! This kind of authentic talk saves lives. xoxo Kathe

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Thank you so much :) I have learned so much from you. I am your #1 fan!

[@truptik7787]

Karissa Sanbonmatsu Your talk threw a lot of new light on the discordant relationship I have with my mother and my inability to deal with stress. I have always been terrified that I'll be a bad mother because of the kind of relationship I have with my own.

[@LifeStyleTherapy]

In many ways, how much you miss a person reflects how interdependent your lives have become. If you are questioning whether you love someone, perhaps consider how much you miss him or her when you’re apart. I made a video in my channel about 5 signs of being in love you can watch it

[@schoolkutielake5336]

Appreciate Video clip! Forgive me for butting in, I would appreciate your initial thoughts. Have you considered - Chiveard Discovering Potential Framework (Sure I saw it on Google)? It is a smashing one off product for finding your true calling and achieving success minus the headache. Ive heard some great things about it and my mate after many years got cool results with it.

[@midoann]

Karissa, thank you! Speechless, you are brilliant, funny, sweet, pretty, etc. etc. So interesting your talk, you got the whole attention of the all the audience, they love you!

[@rosGalindo]

Congratulations on a great talk and a great career in science! I was lucky enough to meet you in a conference in Telluride!

[@TigerPrawn_]

I welled up when they all clapped for her, I didn't expect that, such a lovely surprise!

[@MaisyDaisy333]

Excellent presentation! It has left me a lot to ponder. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@yan_1871]

She was so fascinating I forgot how upset I was to find out there was no answer to the initial question

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

lol

[@Thewonderingminds]

In real life, the term "in" love, and "out of" love, lead to love unreal.

[@bonniehogue5712]

This woman is amazing. She's such a great teacher...and I love her!

[@mdebhul1528]

That was wonderful. Terrific job. Great research topic. You go girl!!! tku :)

[@analeahbertubin7097]

"Were you genetically programmed to be that way, or do you actually practice that in front of the mirror all day?" 😂😂savage woman

[@razzlefrog]

Intelligent, thoughtful, and cute presenter. Good job, Dr. Sanbonmatsu! Love it

[@sihintas5336]

I love her sense of humor!!

[@guyincognito5663]

Aww, this lady is overflowing with charisma!

[@roslynngallegos6216]

I love your intro it's the absolute best!

[@fatima-zohrahammadi9548]

So interresting and inspiring. I loved it thank you.

[@tedoymisojos]

This was fun to watch, very good speaker

[@neilcrowesongs9768]

makes science fun and accessible and helps us understand us. big respect

[@peternorthrup6274]

Learn to listen. When she talks. Stop everything. Turn around and listen. The rest does not matter. When your at a gathering. Lots of people. And after 33 years you wonder where they are? They go shopping. And running late getting home. You call. I was worried. Are you ok? These are just a fraction of the things that define love. Life is hard. It's a lot better when you share it with someone. I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

[@aishwaryakulkarni]

Hi Karissa, I am a grad student working on alternate splicing events, and I felt like I am doing something really cool after watching this Ted Talk! :)

[@WallaceSouzaB]

+aishwarya kulkarni have you noticed how splicing refutes evolution?

[@MoonChildinOrbit]

She is such an adorable speaker.

[@umlahpachtu3619]

Karissa, great presentation . . . you are a real gem.

[@fochoac]

I loved your talk. Keep up your inspiring work, Karissa!

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Thank you so much!

[@capturingbeaut864]

She reminds me a little of Tina from Bob's burgers 😂😂 but I loved it!

[@quietestkitten]

I love learning new scientific information on the human mind.

[@nasirolegesse657]

thanks for your remarkable lecture! I appreciate you.

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@paintsnfun]

Absolutely brilliant and captivating! Thanks for helping people understand. As a physician who is also a transgender woman, we have so much to do to educate the public about who we are. Talks like yours will help very much.

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

I'm so glad you liked it.

[@LeahMarieFeet]

Much love! you are amazing! x

[@popezaphod]

That was fantastic. You are fabulous!

[@Onnoleigh]

This was so great!!!

[@batgirl_brunette3873]

Oh my gosh I love her. She's hilarious AND smart

[@nallamotukrishnachaitanya8833]

Audience became kids for 12mins.simply superb her words are spell bounding. Thank you mam.

[@audreyguo13]

I love this woman she is hilarious (and super positive as well)

[@ruby2393]

What a great video! I like it a lot!

[@NefaLaJefa]

She's beautiful.

[@aninnnn]

Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH body language? Because I felt like I couldn't concentrate on what the speaker was saying because of all the hand waving and other things. And I agree with some of the comments here, I usually find TED videos to be very specific, so that's why I love them- not too long, not boring, not too general, not boring. I believe this one was all over the place- I mean, I do think that Dr. Sanbonmatsu is very well informed on all of these topics, but I wish it was just one discussed properly in this talk.

[@richl9268]

+aninnnn Not too general?? RU kidding me. TED talks are the most general talks of all ur nuts my friend.

[@PlaceForAnEcho]

aninnnn personally I thought the body language was forced and came off as awkward but I think realistic given she's standing in front of a huge group of people.

[@-Madelief-]

Wouw! What a talk! You hit it girl!

[@Ryan95Garcia]

Great speaker!

[@glutenfreelady]

Great talk!

[@iamcreativity732]

Loved it 💖...I'm in love with this video for sure 🥰😘

[@beatknecht]

Thanks for sharing Karissa. Within our lifetime, we may find the answer, thanks also to your efforts.

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for hosting me in Switzerland when I was at the Gordon Conference! You are a great role model as CEO of Zattoo:) What do you think the most challenging hurdle will be in finding the answer?

[@KathePerez]

Karissa Sanbonmatsu you and Bea know each other??!! It's such a small world.

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Kathe Perez A small world indeed. Have you seen her new pictures? She looks amaaaazzing!!!

[@sportyspice7847]

Great story about loving yourself first🌟💫

[@Ktealove]

I loved this speaker!

[@mahboobsafi3830]

wow...what a speaker and what an information

[@Wendib711]

Another amazing talk by this smart and beautiful woman She is a fantastic speaker and she looks so natural as a woman. Love this lady.

[@acceltech]

what

[@JanKatrinaGuanzon]

I love the speaker and this talk!

[@tzarinamaratita1598]

Wow. I love her. Great talk.

[@bubblesinthe4ir]

This is amazing. She's so funny!

[@Yogesh-xg7jz]

Great talk...impressive talk and style. ..regards ☺

[@jodisparks1432]

You are adorable... You're funny, intelligent, sexy and a beautiful person. I thank you for sharing!

[@RobertDigitalArtist]

+Jodi Sparks Aaah, thank you!

[@xspsorganization8778]

Wow same here! Studying biochemistry and i felt good about how i can relate to what she was describing! Ha i just got finished with genetics today with its exam! I have learned well. Anyways i am in a relationship and its strange having such feelings of love. Hard to describe, but i do want to know how or when i am. I really like this woman im with, my heart is the only question i have to ask.. still thanks for the lysine on H3! I hope the future doesn't get too simple with love and its dynamics! I believe its much more complex than a strand of RNA! "Hey, i dont love you anymore!" Other: "why?" Them: "my oxytocin receptor gene is not chemically modified!, bye" other: "what................"

[@1955stefanie]

"Were you genetically programmed to be annoying?" xd hahahaha

[@NinaNaculangga]

This is so interesting topic. I thought falling in love is an exciting emotion.

[@triciahamill8018]

I realized she was transgender only from THIS VIDEO. I had absolutely no clue from the other videos I watched before this. God bless her. Great Ted talks

[@melissamullinator]

great video

[@kaitlyn8390]

0:24 I knew bc she was the person I wanted to be with the rest of my life I would always get nervous around her, she made me laugh, smile even though I was sad, the first thought I had when I woke up and the last when I went to sleep.

[@putinsgaytwin4272]

How long did you have those feelings for? I feel like we all have those feelings for someone for two or three years. But when that fades does that mean we no longer love them?

[@wafaabd-rabou8498]

how awesome !!

[@Rachel-yx3kj]

i have listened to all 3 ted talks and for some reason cannot stand to hear the speakers voices. how do you know you're in love? you feel your own heart for the first time for someone else. simple.

[@PlaceForAnEcho]

Rachel Giancaspro yes. Voices are very important. I train people how to speak so I have to really listen and fine tune them. An annoying voice makes me turn off a Ted talk. Nasal or too gravel or high pitches and I pass.

[@premirralucie5856]

Do we need someone to tell us if we are in love or not ?

[@ellenpage1108]

Great talk

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Thank you so much! I watched your speech again this morning - it gets me every time! Today I am watching Juno (again!), Inception (again!) and X-men (again!). Mindblowing performances. What are are you doing to celebrate National Coming Out Day?

[@ellenpage1108]

Karissa Sanbonmatsu watching your talk!

[@karissasanbonmatsu6361]

Ellen Page Omg! I think something big should happen for Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov20) this year since they say this year is the transgender tipping point. I'm in touch with Geena Rocero (GenderProud) and trying to get in touch with Laverne. What do you think?

[@oscaralvarado2899]

WOW!!!! It really is all in the expression. The dude can not act like a genuine chick can. This is eye opening!!

[@Riceachu]

Alright :) I will know i'm in love when lysine-4 on histone-3 at the oxytocin receptor gene is chemically modified! Awesome stuff!

[@yakampriscille4793]

loved it

[@Limegreenyummyyummy]

This was fun to watch! :)

[@ascientistone]

Thank you so much! What was your favorite part?

[@Limegreenyummyyummy]

ascientistone Assuming this is you, I like how you 'declared' your love in the beginning hahaha. I actually like a lot of things with this clip. I liked how you strongly affirm your gender identity and how you talked about it, it's refreshing. I also look up to Laverne, Geena and Janet.

[@Limegreenyummyyummy]

ascientistone oh and I really like your jacket! :P

[@keithdager3835]

An excellent TED-Talk! The equivalent of Star trek space exploration is going to be about the body's control through DNA... apparently, our DNA is not our destiny as a biological beings. I'm sure glad to learn that. The medical community is quickly learning how "nature" (our DNA) predisposes each of us to certain diseases like breast cancer. I'm grateful for that, but I am especially interested in exploring how epigenetics predisposes us to certian behavior and attraction which believing in evolution, likely enhanced survival of the species. That will be a bold frontier in psychology and evolutionary science. I read elsewhere that a research study of close best friends showed a remarkable finding, they shared 1% of the identical DNA, making them like 4th cousins or great grand parents. Beside this remarkable findings, it became apparent that the shared DNA caused these best friends to be attracted to similar smells. The remaining 99% of their DNA however, was very dissimilar, more dissimilar than when compared to non-best friend strangers. Having dissimilar DNA means these best friends will not be equally vulnerable to the same diseases. So, DNA guides us to choose best friends who are likely to be resistant to diseases we are vulnerable to, so they can take care of us when we're sick. Is that not cool? How much is human attraction programmed in humans through DNA as opposed to resulting from learned experiences teaching critical choice of character? Epigenetics may also explain what gives rise to transgender people's gender dysphoria, usually signs of such being evident as earl as toddlers choosing how to play, That nurture side means our emotional life experience, our environment (starting in the womb, then in life as pollution, diet, etc), and maybe hormones. It appear that nurture can modify the expression of DNA (epigenetics) even of DNA structure does not change. This is an exciting aspect of being human that I am eager for science to explore. The intellectual prowess of scientist Dr. Karissa Sanbonmatsu is likely an aspect of her own self awareness. Her courage to speak out as a transgender woman in this TED-talk probably reflects the courage needed in the mind of a research scientist who must exercise independent thought, sometimes critical of other scientists who insist that the research community drinks their collegial cool-aid of group thinking, status quo scientific knowledge. Perhaps the idea of DNA's programming transitioning through epigenetics was easier for her to believe than for non-transgender scientists stuck in a "We can't change our DNA" frame of thinking, True, we can't change our DNA structure, but we can change which DNA expresses itself, just as a rail switchman can't change the rail yard tracks, but can change where a train goes by throwing a switch, I'm impressed, and want to hear more!

[@MorganHorse]

Love her!

[@chloealexa189]

A Beautiful Talk, by a Beautiful Lady, THANKS.

[@aftaflash]

Chloe Alexa uhmmmm. I thought that was a dude?? Am I wrong?

[@Bl1NK9]

@@aftaflash yes.

[@AureliaLambrechthey]

Interesting.

[@preetimishra1365]

Amazing 😁

[@baileywhanau]

Very clever :)

[@michaelroditis1952]

It's the first Ted talk that I learned nothing from it. But still (s)he made a good talk

[@horukye]

Damnit, it sounded like you had waaay more to say, and I want to keep hearing you talk!!!

[@ejvega]

I thought she was transgender as soon as she started the talk. I just had a feeling.

[@amozhang833]

SAME LMFAO

[@zephyniah]

ihacom1 yeah apparently that she is actually a he. Check the description

[@Kathryn1209]

Me too

[@aleahathomas8468]

+Zephaniah she don't be rude

[@PlaceForAnEcho]

ihacom1 same. The body language after 10 seconds of watching and I knew transgender. Good lecture.

[@tookool4school]

im gonna go adopt a bunch of baby rats and lick them

[@bhaubanashbhatt7932]

Bananasauce I've been searching you all my life 😂😂😂

[@tryingagainwithadifferetname]

Uuuuhhhh excuse me 😕

[@r58302]

What’s going on here? 🤨

[@notme9872]

What a misleading title.... 10:47 But a good speaker!

[@mariothrowsfireballsuntitl1841]

The talk felt a little longer than it should have been.

[@jackpotwinner1260]

A few mins into this I realized it had nothing to do with the title I guess that was to get us to click it smh.

[@98ElenaVallina]

cheekbone game strong

[@admorgz]

Brave man I mean women. Amazing talk, thank you.