Posted on 12/30/2006 5:17:24 PM PST by Mount Athos
Edited on 12/30/2006 5:44:39 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Scientists are conducting experiments to change the sexuality of gay sheep in a programme that critics fear could pave the way for breeding out homosexuality in humans.
The technique being developed by American researchers adjusts the hormonal balance in the brains of homosexual rams so that they are more inclined to mate with ewes.
It raises the prospect that pregnant women could one day be offered a treatment to reduce or eliminate the chance that their offspring will be homosexual. Experts say that, in theory, the straightening procedure on humans could be as simple as a hormone supplement for mothers-to-be, worn on the skin like an anti-smoking nicotine patch.
The research, at Oregon State University in the city of Corvallis and at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, has caused an outcry. Martina Navratilova, the lesbian tennis player who won Wimbledon nine times, and scientists and gay rights campaigners in Britain have called for the project to be abandoned.
Navratilova defended the right of sheep to be gay. She said: How can it be that in the year 2006 a major university would host such homophobic and cruel experiments? She said gay men and lesbians would be deeply offended by the social implications of the tests.
But the researchers argue that the work is valid, shedding light on the broad question of what determines sexual orientation. They insist the work is not aimed at curing homosexuality.
Approximately one ram in 10 prefers to mount other rams rather than mate with ewes, reducing its value to a farmer. Initially, the publicly funded project aimed to improve the productivity of herds.
The scientists have been able to pinpoint the mechanisms influencing the desires of male-oriented rams by studying their brains. The animals skulls are cut open and electronic sensors are attached to their brains.
By varying the hormone levels, mainly by injecting hormones into the brain, they have had considerable success in altering the rams sexuality, with some previously gay animals becoming attracted to ewes.
Professor Charles Roselli, the Health and Science University biologist leading the research, defended the project.
He said: In general, sexuality has been under-studied because of political concerns. People dont want science looking into what determines sexuality.
Its a touchy issue. In fact, several studies have shown that people who believe homosexuality is biologically based are less homophobic than people who think that this orientation is acquired.
The research is being peer-reviewed by a panel of scientists in America, demonstrating that it is being taken seriously by the academic community.
Potentially, the techniques could one day be adapted for human use, with doctors perhaps being able to offer parents pre-natal tests to determine the likely sexuality of offspring or a hormonal treatment to change the orientation of a child.
Roselli has said he would be uncomfortable about parents choosing sexuality, but argues that it is up to policy makers to legislate on questions of ethics.
I failed to post page 2 of article, click on link to see it
Fear? The horror!
perhaps a mod can append this to the article:
Michael Bailey, a neurology professor at Northwestern University near Chicago, said: Allowing parents to select their childrens sexual orientation would further a parents freedom to raise the sort of children they want to raise.
Critics fear the findings could be abused.
Udo Schuklenk, Professor of Bioethics at Glasgow Caledonian University, who has written to the researchers pressing them to stop, said: I dont believe the motives of the study are homophobic, but their work brings the terrible possibility of exploitation by homophobic societies. Imagine this technology in the hands of Iran, for example.
It is typical of the US to ignore the global context in which this is taking place.
Peter Tatchell, the gay rights campaigner, said: These experiments echo Nazi research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. They stink of eugenics. There is a danger that extreme homophobic regimes may try to use these experimental results to change the orientation of gay people.
He said that the techniques being developed in sheep could in future allow parents to play God.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the pressure group, condemned the study as a needless slaughter of animals, an affront to human dignity and a colossal waste of precious research funds.
The tests on gay sheep are the latest in a long line of experiments seeking to alter the sexuality of humans and animals.
Günther Dorner, a scientist in the former East Berlin, carried out hormone-altering tests on rodents in the 1960s in the hope of finding a way to eradicate homosexuality.
In 2002, Simon LeVay, an American neurologist, claimed to have discovered that homosexual and heterosexual men had physically different brains. His tests on the corpses of gay men who had died of Aids were widely criticised.
I nominate your post for Headline Title of the Day.
I would be, too, if it would mean aborting potentially gay, (or potentially straight) babies. But the patch thing is another story.
Yikes! but what if some woman in comfortable shoes wanted to wear a patch that would insure that her daughter would grow up to wear comfortable shoes as well? It boggles, it truly does.
That's baaaaaaaaaaaaaad
Its a behavioral choice, not a trait that can be bred out. Natural selection would have done so long ago.
Fools...
There will be no greater opponents of abortion than gays if a genetic link is determined.
Claim homosexuality is a choice? Homos get offended.
Claim homosexuality is not a choice but instead a genetic defect or hormonal imbalance? Homos get offended.
The only explanation that doesn't offend them is that their "orientation" is perfectly healthy and normal. ....even preferred.
Udo Schuklenk, Professor of Bioethics at Glasgow Caledonian University, who has written to the researchers pressing them to stop, said: I dont believe the motives of the study are homophobic, but their work brings the terrible possibility of exploitation by homophobic societies. Imagine this technology in the hands of Iran, for example.
The research, at Oregon State University in the city of Corvallis and at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, has caused an outcry. Martina Navratilova, the lesbian tennis player who won Wimbledon nine times, and scientists and gay rights campaigners in Britain have called for the project to be abandoned.
How do you make a Hormone?
Dont pay her.
Tell it to the sheep.
gay sheep ping!
The existence of a trait does require its human owner to act that trait. (Of course, this statement assumes that the trait is not a psychosis.) For example, heterosexual orientation requires no one to participate in rape, bigamy, prostitution, incest or any other sexual activity. Logically, therefore, the presence of a homosexual orientation (if such exists) requires no one to participate in homosexual activity.
There has to be some "programmed" inclination to making such a choice. Normal guys don't just wake one some day and say, "I think I'll forsake relations with women and go blow somebody". If natural selection took care of everything like you say, nobody would be born retarded either.
OK, there's a combination of words I never thought I'd see used in that order. ;)
Translation: Save those gay sheep for WE HOMOS!
They deserve civil unions with their owners?
This is exactly what was described in X-Men 3: the Last Stand. In the movie, some scientists found the 'cure' for mutations, and the mutants were against it. The director of the movie has said that the mutants were allegory for gays.
Scientific proof! Homosexuality is a chemical imbalance and can be cured!
No wonder they're (gays) worried!
No that's just my DAAAAAAAAAAAD
Sheep have rights too!
"Navratilova defended the right of sheep to be gay"
I have to agree with you.
"Approximately one ram in 10 prefers to mount other rams rather than mate with ewes.."
"The scientists have been able to pinpoint the mechanisms influencing the desires of 'male-oriented' rams by studying their brains. The animals skulls are cut open and electronic sensors are attached to their brains."
Its a touchy issue.."
Ahum... shouldn't they also be looking at the "catchers" also?
Or did I miss something?
Lets stir the pot...
They correct other DEFECTS!!!!!
If they can cure it then they should!
Now there's a 'headline' I won't touch with a ten foot pole.
No double-entendre jokes.
I think homosexuals are more upset about the fact that the foundation of the experiments are based on the fact that homosexuality is a DEFECT.
Don't we now recomend women take certain vitamins in order to prevent birth defects?
What if this does not translate to humans?
Will prisons alter the food to include anti-homosexual nutrient mixes?
The jokes just never end.
Many posters will see nothing wrong with this, and maybe there isn't. However, if it works, the same procedure could be used to enhance or eliminate any number of traits that are perceived to be desirable or undesirable. It's a big step down the road to designer babies, and that should be food for thought for everyone.
Or maybe "Scientists Study Woolly Bugger".
which is in party why homosexual advocates went from PREFERENCE to orientation.
PREFERENCE is a choice, wherease orientation implies no choice.
Animals are often "confused" during mating season (ie frogs humpin anything female sized).
It is fascinating that homosexuals would be in such a painic attack. I now predict there will be vitamin companies which will market vitamin patches which aledge to prevent homosexuality.
Imagine how damaging that will be to homorecruiting when liberal parents secretly raise their kids with the assumption they have prevented homosexuality.
Whatever these folks are smoking, I say BAN IT!!!
LOL! Now that's a headline!!
More fodder for the fag freeks, I don't buy it! There hasn't been any substantiative evidence yet that homosexuality is genetic..........
The scientific and homosexual community have been trying for decades to prove that their behavior is driven by genetics rather than choice. They love this kind of publicity because its just another extreme lie that can be added to their arsenal........
we are already there.
Parents already give their children growth hormone to ensure they have greater highr than average.
Down sindrome babies are routinely aborted.
Some will even select for gender now.
It is not so bad provided it is defects being prevented or removed.
but imagine the difficulty of GLSEN and other GSA style recruiting programs.
Parents will now refuse "orientation awareness" (recruiting) classes.
No need Mz. Homosexual Recruiting Teacher, we prevented homosexuality in our child when it was in the womb.
Even if only a perception, such a perception will be devastating to homosexual recreational sex politics. Why fund homosexual programs in public school if it can be prevented.
facinating how homosexuals fear the mere PERCEPTION of a cure.
Brain...locked...up...too...many...punchlines...help...me...
What next? Sheep have the right to a faaabulous wardrobe and track lighting?
So would the movie for this be called "BrokeBaaaaaaaaaack Mountain"? (tee hee)
I have a news flash for the gay and lesbian community. The sheep program is not about homophobia it is about simple economics. If the ram refuse to breed the ewes there will be a loss of the product ( lambs)from which sheep farmers make their living.
So, if I support research for a cure for cancer, does that make me cancerphobic?
The March of Dimes, and others, want to prevent birth defects through abortion.
Here is a possible solution to a problem (that some champion as a lifestyle CHOICE) and we are told that "science shouldn't go there".
They needn't fear being without fresh meat. They'd still recruit.
The Sex Positive agenda believes in hedonism. They seek to end all moral judgements over sexual pairings regardless of age, sex, relation, marital status, number, or species of partner(s).
They seek to see everyone sexually active at every age and do not believe in a concept of age appropriate activity.
Reich, Kinsey, and feminists all preached this new world order.
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