Karla and Gabby David Reimer

Dr Money had a theory that he could change the genders depending on the way the parents brought them up (as a boy or girl) not depending on the physical characteristics

Tha aim:

David Reimer

After his genitals were destroyed during circumcision, his parents were left helpless. Sexologist and Psychologist, John William Money, approached the two of them and suggested that Bruce have a sexual reassignment. Dr Money believed that the gender of a child can be changed based on how they are “nurtured”, or in other words brought up. Unbeknown to their parents, Bruce and Brian were in fact being used as subjects in Dr Money’s experiment. The twin boys were perfect samples for the experiment, both born biologically as males and one being raised a female. Bruce underwent surgery, was given the name Brenda and raised as a girl. Brenda behaved just like a little girl and played with dolls, wore dresses and baked with their mum. Dr Money published texts stating his theory was correct and used his experiment as evidence. However at age 7, Brenda began showing signs of masculinity. To prevent this, Brenda and her brother Brian underwent a series of therapy sessions in which Dr Money tried different approaches including identifying the difference of male and female genitalia to the two children. Years after, Brenda acted and appeared increasingly masculine and suffered from bullying at school. Her parents revealed the truth when she was 14 years of age and immediately decided to assume his male gender, calling himself David. Although the experiment was flawed, Dr Money’s initial report remained successful.

Details Of The Study

Dr. John William Money was the researcher of this experiment. He was a renowned sexologist and psychologist at the time and was an expert on sexual behaviour.

The researchers

David Reimer

The outcome

Ethical Gudlines breached

David Reimer (born Bruce) was born to Janet and Ron (August 22, 1965 – May 5, 2004) and had a twin brother named Brian. At six months old, the two of them were diagnosed with phimosis which led to urinary problems. The doctors suggested that circumcision would solve the problem, however the procedure went horribly wrong and Bruce’s penis was severely damaged beyond repair.

The therapy sessions and treatments they received growing up left David and Brian severely traumatised as adults. David mentioned situations in which Dr Money would force them to rehearse sexual acts to reinforce gender based identity. As a result of their unconventional upbringing, Brian developed schizophrenia and David became depressed and suicidal. David went on to marry Jane Fontaine and became the stepfather to her three children. However the relationship was strained and in 2004, Jane requested for her and David to separate, dealing with a damaged relationship with his parents, his twin brother’s death and a long battle with depression, David took his own life on May 4, 2004.

- David and Brian are treated unethically by Dr Money during their therapy sessions- His situation and true identity was withheld from him-Both twins committed suicide as a result of the trauma and strain on their upbringing and relationship with one another-Dr Money didn’t disclose his true intentions to use the twins as subjects in his experiment