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Science/Tech See other Science/Tech Articles Title: Science told: hands off gay sheep The Sunday Times December 31, 2006 Science told: hands off gay sheep Isabel Oakeshott and Chris Gourlay Experiments that claim to ‘cure’ homosexual rams spark anger 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. Michael Bailey, a neurology professor at Northwestern University near Chicago, said: “Allowing parents to select their children’s sexual orientation would further a parent’s 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 don’t 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.
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#5. To: no one in particular (#0)
(Edited)
the fact that there are gay animals proves, does it not, that homosexuality is biological and not choice?
that is a very good point. I keep telling people that the female hormones in the beef/chicken/pork & other diet factors are likely a cause of the increase in homosexuality.
Think about this, big picture, past any discomfort you feel about gay and lesbian relationships. Do we want them screwing with us genetically in a eugenic sort of way to engineer the "right" behavior in us? If we go down this slippery slope, where does it end? I am very much apposed to this odious back door attempt to get the public seal of approval of eugenics, the science of engineering humans to make them the way we want them to be to be better social cogs and citizens.
you make a reasonable argument. but I would contend that all the female hormones in the beef & pork are in fact them screwing with us with detrimental effect. and we should consider that these are I think not wild animals we're talking about, these are domesticated animals used in industry. what has this industry done to them to get these animals out-of-whack perhaps. But like the scientist in the article said - you can't learn these answers unless you study them.
Except that homosexually has been with us throughout history. It is part of human sexual behavior and it has not kept us from breeding the species until we overrun the Earth with a heavy population load of people. Homosexuality involved consenting adults. It is inherent to the natures of some people and not a lifestyle choice. I do not consider this to be anymore damning about a person to be gay or lesbian the having blue eyes or being left or right handed. I would never shun anyone for any reason merely for being homosexual. Doing so would be perverted, hateful behavior. So would acting like the American Kennel Club when some scientists try to breed pedigree humans. I am strongly against eugenics. We should not think of ourselves as our own creator.
So have other physical and mental birth defects of every sort. YOur point was, again?
ponchy, why are you so obsessed with homosexual farm animals?
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