I knew the Scots would become involved.
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 don’t want science looking into what determines sexuality.
“It’s 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.
Yeah, except that Stan Lee said that mutants were an allegory for blacks in the 60s, so nice try, Ratner
I knew the Scots would become involved.
Yeah...over here.
Guessing the Univesity of Montana also participates.
And the problem with comfortable shoes is...??
There's a problem in their thinking. As study after study has demonstrated, the environment in which children are raised plays a major factor in determining homosexuality. To state hormonal balance is responsible for same-sex attraction is to demonstrate a profound ignorance of the subject.
What needs to be understood is linkage and association (The Gay Gene?)
He said: “In general, sexuality has been under-studied because of political concerns.
The understatement of the last 50 years. As scientists have stated, it's too bad we can't study sexuality without all the political concerns. Unfortunately, politics trumps the truth.
We're a doomed species....
8^(
That sounds like pro choice to me. Why are the liberals against it?
What the article suggests is that Homosexuality is a birth defect not a trait. According to the theory behind the study genetics has nothing to do with Homosexuality.
The theory behind the research is that during pregnancy the hormone levels in the mothers blood stream become imbalanced and subtly alter the development of the fetal brain causing improper sexual orientation of the child.
I think it would be fantastic if a life altering birth defect could be prevented by the mother to be wearing a simple hormone patch.
Ha ha, no more chicken for the chicken hawks.
Enough of this PUN-ishment!
Sorry if I wasn't clear. "Women in comfortable shoes" is a slang term for lesbians.
In my simple little country folk opinion, the best hormone patch is for the father of a boy to spent time helping raise the boy. Monkey see, monkey do.
Hmm, I thought only Christians were against science.
That's what I figured, but that is a stupid term. :)
Any sensible person prefers sensible shoes. Heehehee
Only 10% of homosexual men are born that way. The rest just get sucked into it.
Being able to eliminate homosexuality by birth would be great. The comment I responded to was that being gay was a choice, though. Last I heard, birth defects weren't a choice any more than genetics.
They just cannot, under any circumstances, pick one story and stick with it... this is how you spot the liars...
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