Fact Check: Transgender mice and trump

Fact Check: "Transgender Mice and Trump"

What We Know

During a recent address, former President Donald Trump claimed that the Biden Administration spent "8 million dollars for making mice transgender" (source-1). This statement refers to various research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at studying the effects of hormone therapy and other medical interventions on mice. The total amount cited by Trump aligns with reported funding for several studies, including:

$455,000 for a study on the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on HIV vaccine responses.
$2,500,000 for research on reproductive consequences of steroid hormone administration.
$299,940 for a study on gender-affirming testosterone therapy and breast cancer risk.
$735,113 for microbiome effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy.
$1,200,000 for androgen effects on reproductive neuroendocrine axes.
$3,100,000 for studying gonadal hormones and asthma influences (source-1, source-2).

The studies primarily focus on understanding health outcomes related to hormone therapies, particularly for transgender individuals, rather than explicitly "making mice transgender."

Analysis

While Trump’s claim about the funding amount is accurate, the characterization of the research as "making mice transgender" is misleading. The studies funded by the NIH are intended to explore the health implications of hormone therapies and their effects on various biological processes, not to create transgender mice. For instance, one study aims to investigate how hormone therapy affects immune responses in the context of HIV, which is particularly relevant given the higher prevalence of HIV among transgender women (source-2, source-5).

Critically, the term "transgender mice" is not scientifically recognized. The studies utilize "transgenic" mice, which are genetically modified for research purposes, and the distinction is significant. The White House and various fact-checkers have clarified that the research aims to improve healthcare outcomes for LGBTQ+ patients rather than create transgender animals (source-6, source-8).

Furthermore, the credibility of the sources discussing this topic varies. While mainstream news outlets like NBC and CNN provide fact-checking and context, some reports may exhibit bias based on their political leanings. For example, the White House's response aimed to clarify Trump's statements while also defending the funding as beneficial research (source-1).

Conclusion

The claim that the Biden Administration spent "8 million dollars for making mice transgender" is Partially True. While the funding amount is accurate, the characterization of the research is misleading. The studies in question focus on the effects of hormone therapies and their implications for health, particularly for transgender individuals, rather than the creation of transgender mice. This distinction is crucial for understanding the intent and outcomes of the research funded by the NIH.

Fact Check: Transgender mice and trump