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Am I My Genes?

Confronting fate and family secrets in the age of genetic testing.

Sexual Orientation
Spirituality, Coping, and LGBTQ+ Pride

Robert Klitzman M.D. on June 29, 2024

LGBTQ+ and other individuals face spiritual, religious, and existential questions. As individuals and members of organizations, many of us can help address these.

LGBTQ+ and other individuals face spiritual, religious, and existential questions. As individuals and members of organizations, many of us can help address these.

Psychiatry
Deleting Homosexuality From the DSM: 50th Anniversary

Robert Klitzman M.D. on December 4, 2023

50 years ago, the American Psychiatric Association voted to delete homosexuality from the DSM in a highly fraught process that has important lessons for us today.

50 years ago, the American Psychiatric Association voted to delete homosexuality from the DSM in a highly fraught process that has important lessons for us today.

Anger
How Civility Can Help in Arguments Over Today's Conflicts

Robert Klitzman M.D. on November 17, 2023

Personal Perspective: On campus and elsewhere, arguments about the Israel/Gaza war rage. Remembering notions of civility, good citizenship, and respecting others' views is vital.

Personal Perspective: On campus and elsewhere, arguments about the Israel/Gaza war rage. Remembering notions of civility, good citizenship, and respecting others' views is vital.

Pregnancy
How the Roe Overturn May Hurt Doctors, and All of Their Patients

Robert Klitzman M.D. on June 29, 2022

Personal Perspective: The overturn of Roe v. Wade will strain medical providers and potentially lower their willingness to work in states with abortion bans, harming all patients.

Personal Perspective: The overturn of Roe v. Wade will strain medical providers and potentially lower their willingness to work in states with abortion bans, harming all patients.

Education
Why People Oppose Masks and Vaccines

Robert Klitzman M.D. on August 18, 2021

Many people are wary of masks or vaccines, but our brains process the risks involved in ways that can lead to error. Luckily, awareness of our mental biases can help.

Many people are wary of masks or vaccines, but our brains process the risks involved in ways that can lead to error. Luckily, awareness of our mental biases can help.

Bias
Why the Polls Were Wrong: Social Desirability Bias

Robert Klitzman M.D. on November 23, 2020

Social desirability bias occurs when survey respondents give answers that differ from their real attitudes because they want to look better to others or feel good about themselves.

Social desirability bias occurs when survey respondents give answers that differ from their real attitudes because they want to look better to others or feel good about themselves.

Politics
The Psychology of Politics and Pandemics

Robert Klitzman M.D. on July 11, 2020

In facing epidemics, how do leaders make stories to excuse their bad behavior and advance their own agendas? How can they instead also help fight the disease?

In facing epidemics, how do leaders make stories to excuse their bad behavior and advance their own agendas? How can they instead also help fight the disease?

Pregnancy
Should You Rent a Womb?

Robert Klitzman M.D. on February 12, 2020

Countless women, and many gay couples, can't carry a child, and hire gestational surrogates instead. But it's illegal in many states. Should it be?

Countless women, and many gay couples, can't carry a child, and hire gestational surrogates instead. But it's illegal in many states. Should it be?

Genetics
Designing Babies: We Are Here, But Are We Ready?

Robert Klitzman M.D. on September 29, 2019

We can now buy and sell human eggs, sperm, and embryos and rent wombs, creating new families, and genetically alter embryos. But when do we go too far?

We can now buy and sell human eggs, sperm, and embryos and rent wombs, creating new families, and genetically alter embryos. But when do we go too far?

Sex
Trump and the Ambiguities of Science and Sex

Robert Klitzman M.D. on October 28, 2018

President Trump wants to redefine gender to be strictly binary, to undermine transgendered individuals. But science shows that the genetics of sex is far more complex.

President Trump wants to redefine gender to be strictly binary, to undermine transgendered individuals. But science shows that the genetics of sex is far more complex.

Sex
#MeToo, Me and You

Robert Klitzman M.D. on May 29, 2018

Harvey Weinstein's arrest and Bill Cosby's indictment mark important moments for #MeToo, but raise profound questions about whether the rest of us have any responsibilities.

Harvey Weinstein's arrest and Bill Cosby's indictment mark important moments for #MeToo, but raise profound questions about whether the rest of us have any responsibilities.