Case study: David Reimer – The boy who was raised to be a girl

On 22 August 1965 Janet Reimer gave birth to twins. The two boys, Brian and Bruce, were healthy babies, but they would lead tragic lives, blighted by one scientist's radical theory.

Janet Reimer with the twins

David Reimer was born as Bruce Reimer in 1965. Aged 8 months, Janet noticed that the Bruce and his twin Brian were having problems urinating, and after taking them to their local doctor, he suggested that they undergo a circumcision. Unfortunately, the doctor in charge of the procedure was using electrical equipment, which malfunctioned several times. On the last trial, Bruce's entire penis was burnt off. The family were distraught. Brian was not operated on and his condition later cleared up without any treatment.