A professor and scholar has been removed from an American Psychological Association email discussion group after he posted a question suggesting that there are only two sexes.
John Staddon, an emeritus professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, was removed from the Society for Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology Division 6 listserv, an email overseen by the APA.
In the message, Staddon posted, “Hmm ... Binary view of sex false? What is the evidence? Is there a Z chromosome?”
“This incident just illustrates the current inability of some scientific communities to tolerate dissent about issues related to sex and race,” Staddon told The College Fix via email. “Psychology and sociology seem to be especially flawed in this respect.”
Staddon was informed of his removal by the APA’s executive committee, who said they had received complaints about Staddon allegedly violating the code of conduct.
“I do not want to get into the particulars of the range of complaints over the years, but I will note that a number of members of the executive committee and others have voiced concerns publicly on the listserv in an attempt to make you aware of how readers of the list might view some of the posts,” Jonathan Crystal, a professor of psychological and brain sciences, wrote in an email to Staddon on behalf of the executive committee.
“The executive committee views the use of the division listserv as a privilege and has voted to remove you from the listserv. I am writing to inform you that your email address has been removed from the listserv,” he added.
Staddon said he did not intend to insult anyone, and he is disappointed in the APA’s decision.
“It is sad that an audience of supposed scientists is unable to take any dissenting view, such as the suggestion that there really are only two sexes. Incredible! I don’t mind having one less distraction, but I think you should really be concerned at Div 6’s unwillingness to tolerate divergent views,” he said.
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Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.