Some scientists concerned with the 'growing conflict' between gender identity and biological sex

The concept of gender identity and gender politics is marginalising “the equality many women have fought for”, according to The Australian’s roving editor Bernard Lane.

There has been an outcry by some in the scientific community after The Australian Academy of Science changed its definition of a woman as “anyone who identifies as a woman”.

This definition will include transgender people who identify as women but remain biological males.

Chief Scientist Alan Finkel backed the academy, arguing he supports “an inclusive culture within science”.

Mr Lane said the move is “part of a much wider trend".

“The concept of gender identity, some inner feeling of your gender identity, which doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with your birth sex,” he said.

“That concept of gender identity has got into federal anti-discrimination law, it has got into the federal pubic sector guidelines, it is in the universities, it is in the schools, it is in the inclusivity and diversity training in the big corporations, and I think the Academy of Science is following suite.”

He said there is now a conflict between protecting “gender identity” and women’s rights.

“This conflict between protecting gender identity … and the rights of women and girls based on their biological sex, that conflict has not been properly addressed.”