AstraZeneca under fire over Braverman fears falling foul ‘sex is not binary’ guidance of conversion therapy ban

PHARMACEUTICAL giant AstraZeneca has been criticised after training material was distributed to staff claiming that the biological sex of individuals is not binary.

The material states that “biology has a spectrum” and that classifying a person’s sex as either male or female “fails to capture even the biological aspect of gender.”

It was distributed by some managers and employees on AstraZeneca’s intranet system, as part of gender diversity awareness promotion by the company’s independent LGBT+ staff group.

understands that the training was sent by a manager to at least one employee who raised questions about the use of pronouns and the term “queer”.

One former employee said: “AstraZeneca has been the most extreme company I have worked at in terms of gender identity ideology”.

Lord Winston and Richard Dawkins, two of the country’s most pre-eminent scientists, have criticised the material as “scientifically ignorant” and running counter to the basis of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm’s work.

AstraZeneca had denied the material is part of the company’s official training material or that it represents the firm’s official policy on gender issues, stating that it was produced and distributed only by AZPride, the staff group for LGBT+ employees.

One of the most controversial documents, titled Sex Spectrum, states: “Many societies view a person’s sex as either male or female, but this binary view fails to capture even the biological aspect of gender.

“While we are often taught that we inherit either XX or XY sex chromosomes, in fact, biology has a spectrum too!”

It adds: “People might have XXY, XYY, X, XXX or other combinations of chromosomes – all of which can result in a variety of sex characteristics.”

That claim appears to contradict established biological science. Having XXY or XYY chromosomes can lead to rare genetic conditions for men, but does not alter a man’s biological sex, while triple X syndrome is a genetic condition found in females only.

Lord Winston, known for his work in the study of fertility, said: “It’s very disappointing. This sort of material is confused and doesn’t take into account the difference between sex and gender.”

An AstraZeneca spokesman said: “At AstraZeneca our aim is to cultivate inclusion and belonging by fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and respected.”

SUELLA BRAVERMAN has said she fears she could be criminalised if trans conversion therapy is banned because she teaches her children that “a boy cannot be a girl”.

The former home secretary urged MPs to oppose plans to outlaw the practice as she expressed concern for parents trying “valiantly to navigate this unchartered territory”.

The Tory backbencher, who previously served as attorney general, also called for transitioning to be banned for under-18s.

Mrs Braverman was speaking during a debate on proposals to ban LGBT conversion therapy, tabled by Labour backbencher Lloyd Russell-Moyle.

The Government has said it wants to make the practice illegal, but is yet to bring forward its own plans amid fears it could end up criminalising parents for refusing to let their children transition.

Mrs Braverman claimed there is “very little evidence” that the practice is a “current problem” in Britain, with gay and trans people already protected from verbal and physical abuse under existing laws.

She warned the “misguided” proposals put forward by Mr Russell-Moyle would “capture so many types of behaviour where there is an innocent or well-intentioned objective”, with therapists, teachers and “regular parents” all at risk of falling foul of the rules.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Rosie Duffield suggested that banning trans conversion therapy would be creating law by social media.

She warned against “dumbing down” the debate for “likes” as she urged colleagues to abandon “unprosecutable” plans to outlaw the practice.

The Labour MP, who has been vocal about her gender-critical views, stressed that legislation should not be driven by “tribes on social media”.

Suella Braverman said she teaches her children that ‘a boy cannot be a girl’