Doctor admits research is ‘severely lacking’ on impacts of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers, requests grant funding for study: Report

A urology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison admitted that research on the impacts of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers is “severely lacking,” according to an April grant application obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The outlet reported that Doctor Walid Farhat, chief of pediatric urology at the UW’s School of Medicine and Public Health, applied for a grant earlier this year to fund research on the impacts of the drugs on prepubescent rats. He stated that the rat model system was chosen because of its “usefulness in studying the impact of hormones on biological processes.”

Emails obtained by the DCNF via a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that Farhat applied to the Wisconsin Partnership Program to receive a grant to research possible side effects, noting that a “lack of information” is being used to deny hormone therapy to minors. Farhat claimed that the “politicization of conversations about transgender identities is having a negative impact” on “transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender-diverse” adolescents as well as “impaired open and honest discussions about the best ways to support transgender children and adolescents.”

“Our project aims to fill the gap of knowledge regarding the role of puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone therapies on adolescent brain and behavior, as well as reproductive, physiological, and bone health,” the email stated.

Farhat noted that the study would focus on “life stages from prepuberty to early adulthood” as well as examine impacts on fertility and organ maturation.

The grant application, obtained by the DCNF, admitted that there is “limited” information regarding “best practices” and a “lack of biomedical research models” on the use of “gender-affirming hormone therapies.” Farhat and his team of researchers aim to conduct a long-term five-year study that spans each life stage.

Despite the limited studies, the grant application claimed that “research has shown that puberty suppression and GAHT is effective in reducing gender dysphoria, lowering anxiety, and improving overall well-being in TNG youth.” It further claimed that cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers have also been proven to “lower risk of depression and suicidality.”

“While there are limited studies, GAHT has been found to be relatively safe, with few adverse effects reported; however, there are some concerns about the long-term effects on bone health and fertility,” the application noted.

Wisconsin Partnership Program did not confirm whether the grant application was approved, the DCNF reported. Farhat’s assistant told the outlet that the doctor could not provide a comment at this time.

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