Following Entry Posted 7/01/2010 08:22:00 PM

Experiment to Prevent Homosexuality

The experiment is the first systematic approach to preventing a serious endocrine disruption which leads to ambiguous genitalia. Speculatively, there will be decreased rates of lesbianism and bisexuality.

The treatment targets a specific population of girls.

I suspect the lesbian community is not too thrilled about the research.

[Add.] The endocrine disruption is called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) which is being treated prenatally with dexamethasone.

The majority of researchers and clinicians interested in the use of prenatal “dex” focus on preventing development of ambiguous genitalia in girls with CAH. CAH results in an excess of androgens prenatally, and this can lead to a “masculinizing” of a female fetus’s genitals.

One group of researchers, however, seems to be suggesting that prenatal dex also might prevent affected girls from turning out to be homosexual or bisexual.

The research or experiment has wide- and far-reaching implications. Homosexual activists who believe that same-sex behavior preferences are innate and determined genetically may discover that it's actually a function of hormone imbalances which are reversible.

Interestingly, at the outset of the research the scientists defined female homosexuality and bisexuality as "abnormalities" which gives an indication regarding the expected results -- methods for restoration of heterosexuality. I would suggest that veteran lesbians would not be happy to learn that they can be cured.

Furthermore, it's important to mention that nobody is currently saying that homosexuality should be cured. That question is ethical, not scientific. However, a finding that homosexuality is a hormonal abnormality would cause much consternation. Laws have been written based on the assumption that homosexuality is a foundational genetic element and not a personal choice. Rethinking the whole issue might be necessary.

Lastly, there's a lot of speculation thus far regarding the research and, at the same time, criticism about the methodology. It's been claimed that clinical trials have not received approved oversight, contrary to "expert consensus."
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