Sexism and Scientific Research

Beginning of article

Sexism in scientific research, like any other form of undesirable bias, can enter and affect scientific research and thinking in many ways. Young male and female Bighorn sheep, despite looking and acting alike, are nonetheless described as engaging in different male-typical and female-typical behaviors. Single-celled bacteria are labeled "male" if they have an extra piece of DNA that allows donation of their DNA through a projection that becomes a bridge to the "female," cast as passive recipient; yet the male and female designations are not consistent with biologists' definitions of male and female organisms based on the type of reproductive cells produced. By superimposing stereotypical …