Joys of intersex

Kathryn Jackson's report on intersex patients made the relationship between them and the doctors who treat them appear to be more adversarial than it is ("Why should a John be a Joan", THES, October 8).

Most intersex patients are happy with the medical treatment they have received. Ms Jackson contacted one very unhappy patient for her piece. She also spoke with me at great length. One of my suggestions was that she contact one of the numerous satisfied intersex patients and I gave her information that would have enabled her to do so. I also suggested she contact doctors who treat intersex patients and again gave her contact information. She chose not to present this happier side of the story.

Finally, I would like to correct an error in one of the quotes attributed to me. In reference to the pioneering work of John Money on intersex conditions, I did not say, "It is easy with hindsight to see that he made mistakes", but rather that "It is easy with hindsight to say that he" did so (emphasis added).

Melissa Hines Professor of psychologyCity University, London