MPs prepare to follow the science

MPs will be shown a breakdown of all the latest research on transgender participation in sport in what is a potentially significant intervention by Parliament.

The briefing note ‘focusing’ on scientific work is scheduled to be published next month after work on it accelerated recently.

It is being drawn up to ensure MPs are properly informed when proposing how sporting bodies should draft regulations on gender eligibility.

The report is being prepared by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), who use a team of academics to produce a peer-reviewed round-up of ‘the best and most up-to-date’ scientific knowledge on a subject. It was commissioned in January 2020 but delayed because of the pandemic. The MoS has spoken to several experts who have been consulted ahead of its publication.

A POST spokesperson said: ‘We are producing a POSTnote briefing on testosterone and sports performance. This work will focus on the scientific literature that describes the relationship between sports performance and testosterone.

‘It will examine the implications for transgender athletes and athletes with differences in sexual development in elite competitions, and how this informs policymaking by sporting bodies. It will also consider options to facilitate inclusive participation in sports and the ethical debate concerning fairness in competition.’

Dr Alun Williams, who works out of Manchester Met University, is one of the experts who have been consulted. He welcomed it. ‘It’s good the Government are considering an issue important for sport, and can be very emotive,’ said Williams.

‘A focus on scientific evidence, but also how that evidence can be translated into policy while considering ethical issues, sounds like the right approach. I hope it helps bodies to adopt policies based on current scientific evidence that are also practical and ethical.’

Payoshni Mitra, chief executive of the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport, said she hoped individuals affected by regulations are given due consideration. ‘This debate is not about science, it is about real humans,’ she said.

Mitra, who has worked with DSD athletes, highlighted the experience of those who have undergone medical interventions to make them eligible for participation.

‘The UN Human Rights Council urged that “States should prohibit the enforcement of regulations that pressure athletes to undergo unnecessary medical interventions as a precondition for participating in sport and review and investigate the alleged enforcement of such regulations”,’ she added.