This conference and monograph were the result of many collective efforts. The whole concept was formulated one early Wednesday morning at our weekly research meeting at Children's Hospital in our division of urology. We have been most fortunate to have a close collaboration with Bob Levin, Ed Macarak, and Pam Howard who have helped steer the course of our division's growing interest in basic science. At our weekly meetings our laboratory fellow will summarize their current work. Other ongoing areas of investigation in our labs and elsewhere are discussed. We have always made an effort to try and understand what other groups are doing who are working in the area of bladder smooth muscle research. It occurred to us that the best way to really know what everyone working in this field was doing would be to sponsor a 2-day meeting where we could all gather to discuss our ongoing work. A major limitation of the annual meeting of the American Urologic Association or the urology section of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that the scientfic sessions are limited as these are meant to be primarily clinical meetings (as they should be). For this reason the idea of a meeting devoted solely to research about the urinary bladder had great appeal. In addition to allowing for longer presentations than the standard 5 to 7 minutes, every effort would be made to encourage a dialogue amongst the presenters and the audience.

This book represents the proceedings from a conference that took place in Dallas in the spring of 1999 which was entitled "Pediatric Gender Assignment - A Critical Reappraisal." Some participants rightfully argued that the conference really focused on the issue of pediatric gender assignment, and that reassignment was not applied in most cases. Their comments were reflected in the title of this monograph. This multidisciplinary meeting was sponsored by a conference grant from the National Institutes of Health, and a broad inquiry into this complex topic took place from many points of view. Basic scientists offered insight into mechanisms of sexual differentiation of the gonads, physical phenotype and imprinting of the central nervous system. Endocrinologists reviewed their experience in diagnosis and management, surgeons described traditional as well as innovative approaches, and there was strong representation from the ethical and behavioral sciences. In putting together such a panel, it was essential that we identify a cast of speakers who could address their viewpoints with strong convictions, and yet not let their passions render the meeting counter productive. We were not disappointed. While many differing points of view were firmly expressed by the panelists and audience, all viewpoints were accorded the respect they deserved. The concept behind the meeting and this book really originated in 1997 shortly after Diamond and Sigmundson published their long term follow up study of the John/Joan case.

This conference and monograph were the result of many collective efforts. The whole concept was formulated one early Wednesday morning at our weekly research meeting at Children's Hospital in our division of urology. We have been most fortunate to have a close collaboration with Bob Levin, Ed Macarak, and Pam Howard who have helped steer the course of our division's growing interest in basic science. At our weekly meetings our laboratory fellow will summarize their current work. Other ongoing areas of investigation in our labs and elsewhere are discussed. We have always made an effort to try and understand what other groups are doing who are working in the area of bladder smooth muscle research. It occurred to us that the best way to really know what everyone working in this field was doing would be to sponsor a 2-day meeting where we could all gather to discuss our ongoing work. A major limitation of the annual meeting of the American Urologic Association or the urology section of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that the scientfic sessions are limited as these are meant to be primarily clinical meetings (as they should be). For this reason the idea of a meeting devoted solely to research about the urinary bladder had great appeal. In addition to allowing for longer presentations than the standard 5 to 7 minutes, every effort would be made to encourage a dialogue amongst the presenters and the audience.

This book represents the proceedings from a conference that took place in Dallas in the spring of 1999 which was entitled "Pediatric Gender Assignment - A Critical Reappraisal". Some participants rightfully argued that the conference really focused on the issue of pediatric gender assignment, and that reassignment was not applied in most cases. Their comments were reflected in the title of this monograph. This multidisciplinary meeting was sponsored by a conference grant from the National Institutes of Health, and a broad inquiry into this complex topic took place from many points of view. Basic scientists offered insight into mechanisms of sexual differentiation of the gonads, physical phenotype and imprinting of the central nervous system. Endocrinologists reviewed their experience in diagnosis and management, surgeons described traditional as well as innovative approaches, and there was strong representation from the ethical and behavioral sciences. In putting together such a panel, it was essential that we identify a cast of speakers who could address their viewpoints with strong convictions, and yet not let their passions render the meeting counter productive. We were not disappointed. While many differing points of view were firmly expressed by the panelists and audience, all viewpoints were accorded the respect they deserved. The concept behind the meeting and this book really originated in 1997 shortly after Diamond and Sigmundson published their long term follow up study of the John/Joan case.