As Nature Made Him

In his Epilogue, Colapinto addresses the scientific significance of David’s case, which is not the only case available to science for thinking through the question of nature and nurture’s respective roles in gender formation. Cases like David’s “are necessarily rare,” but cases like his are gaining attention from scholars and journalists who follow up on them (273). More cases, including one of twins who experienced accidents during electrical circumcisions, have emerged.

Colapinto has sought these stories, but they are private, and details of follow-up are difficult to find. He has learned details about some children who were raised as girls in parallel situations and others who were raised as boys. When Colapinto shares with David a story of a child like him who is growing up as a girl, he is angry and writes to the parents. He sometimes dreams of that girl. John Money was the doctor consulted on this child’s case, five years after David began living as a male.