A tense hearing took place on Tuesday, where Representative Mary Miller questioned two university medical leaders about their stance on non-biological women having babies. Miller asked the chancellor of the University of California San Francisco, Doctor Sam Hawgood, to clarify the term "pregnant people" as opposed to "pregnant women," which is used in the university's classroom guide. Hawgood responded that the terminology is part of the curriculum to help students facing a diverse range of patients, and that the vast majority of pregnancies occur in women.
Miller pressed Hawgood further, asking if a non-biological woman has ever had a baby, to which Hawgood replied that a transgender person can. However, when Miller asked again, specifying a non-biological woman, Hawgood did not provide a direct answer, prompting Miller to interrupt and call the situation "ridiculous." The exchange highlighted the challenges in discussing complex issues related to gender identity and biology in a medical context.
Miller also questioned Dr. Steve Dubinett, dean of UCLA School of Medicine, about a required course that advises ob-gyn students not to assume gender identity. Dubinett was unfamiliar with the specific announcement and did not directly answer Miller's question about whether someone can have a uterus without being a woman. The dean stated that the school is treating transgender people in compliance with state and federal law, but Miller pressed for a clearer answer, emphasizing the importance of biology in medical education.
The hearing, titled "Training Activists, Not Physicians: The Impact of DEI on Medical Schools," focused on the influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on medical school curricula and admissions policies. Representative Miller expressed concern that medical schools are prioritizing political ideology over scientific truth, stating that it should not require a medical degree to answer basic biology questions. The hearing highlighted the need for clarity and common sense in medical education.
Representative Miller criticized the medical schools for promoting what she sees as a "ridiculous idea" that someone can have a uterus without being a woman. The congressman argued that medical schools should focus on scientific truth and common sense, rather than political ideology. The hearing exposed the challenges of balancing diversity and inclusion initiatives with the need for accurate and unbiased medical education.
