Science told: hands off gay sheep (1 Viewer)

[DeeJayH]

Science told: hands off gay sheep - Sunday Times - Times Online

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.

would that actually be a bad thing?
I dont think so

 

[RightinNYC]

This is a really, really tricky area. Their experiement might make a lot of people uncomfortable, but should science be stifled because of that?

It's amusing, because it's usually conservative Christians who are arguing that it should while more liberal people are arguing that it shouldn't. Here we'll get a chance to see how a total reversal of situation works.

Side note: This quote from a UK professor reminded me why I get so fed up with the majority of Europe's intelligensia:

“It is typical of the US to ignore the global context in which this is taking place.”

:roll:

 

[Binary_Digit]

critics fear could pave the way for breeding out homosexuality in humans

The critics are jumping to conclusions. Just because the science is there doesn't mean it will be used on people without their consent. And what's wrong with helping a gay man become straight if that's what he wants?

 

[DeeJayH]

The critics are jumping to conclusions. Just because the science is there doesn't mean it will be used on people without their consent. And what's wrong with helping a gay man become straight if that's what he wants?

yet what this boils down to is....

dont you think the overwhelming majority of parents will authorize this on their kids
It probably will not be left to the gays when they become adults if it comes to fruition
but by the straight parents, most of which would not wish homosexuality on their offspring
unless you are The Stone Family (think that was teh movie I saw last night with Diane Keaton, & Sarah Jessica Parker

 

[Binary_Digit]

yet what this boils down to is....

dont you think the overwhelming majority of parents will authorize this on their kids
It probably will not be left to the gays when they become adults if it comes to fruition
but by the straight parents, most of which would not wish homosexuality on their offspring
unless you are The Stone Family (think that was teh movie I saw last night with Diane Keaton, & Sarah Jessica Parker

I guess if this procedure was used like the small pox vaccination, but I was thinking it'd be more like an after-coming-out-of-the-closet kind of deal. Like a sex change, only internally instead of externally. I can see some people using it on their gay teens if they happen to find out they're gay, but that's a far cry from "breeding out homosexuality in humans" don't you think?

 

[rathi]

Taking a sheep and make it mount ewe's is not even close to being able to make a gay man straight. Human sexual relations have a giant societal component that doesn't exist in animals. This research makes the rams more likely to go after ewe's. That doesn't mean that they won't mount the occasional ram. All of these ram's would be considered bi-sexual from human standards. This just makes them more attracted to women than men.

The ethical issues of genetically engineering kids are very real, but probably not as a result from this research.

 

[RightinNYC]

Taking a sheep and make it mount ewe's is not even close to being able to make a gay man straight. Human sexual relations have a giant societal component that doesn't exist in animals. This research makes the rams more likely to go after ewe's. That doesn't mean that they won't mount the occasional ram. All of these ram's would be considered bi-sexual from human standards. This just makes them more attracted to women than men.

The ethical issues of genetically engineering kids are very real, but probably not as a result from this research.

I agree, which is why I'm a little unhappy that people are coming out so strongly against allowing it to be conducted and are comparing the people conducting it to Mengele and others.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

Politics should not stand in the way of scientific inquiry, nor should it be allowed to dictate or modify the results of said scientific inquiry; this practice is offensive whether it comes the Right or the Left.

If this technique can be applied to humans, then it would be appropriate for a political battle over whether or not it can be performed, and under what circumstances. Stopping it now, and preventing us from gaining the knowledge it will lead us to, is irresponsible and cowardly.

 

[DeeJayH]

Taking a sheep and make it mount ewe's is not even close to being able to make a gay man straight. Human sexual relations have a giant societal component that doesn't exist in animals. This research makes the rams more likely to go after ewe's. That doesn't mean that they won't mount the occasional ram. All of these ram's would be considered bi-sexual from human standards. This just makes them more attracted to women than men.

The ethical issues of genetically engineering kids are very real, but probably not as a result from this research.

do you mean like gay bashing?
homophobia?
matching drapes and carpets?

and don't you think you are actually stating what MIGHT be learned from this, or do you have some previous experiments you are relying on?

and as far as the societal component, sure seems like it impacts the animal world as well, from what I have seen on Animal Planet, Discovery, etc...

queen bee
alpha male
to name but a couple

 

[Befuddled_Stoner]

Sounds fascinating. Can you imagine what breakthroughs something like this would lead to? Once we’re able to tinker with the underlying structures of sexual preference, how long until we’ve cured pedophilia and necrophilia?

The potential for abuse is staggering, though. Once you know how to cure perversions, it would be ridiculously easy to induce them. What if a fascist regime with such technology decided that certain traits are undesirable, and adjusted the preferences of the general public to breed them out of existence?

Much like cosmetic surgery, I think such technology is a good idea if left out of the hands of irresponsible people who have ****ed-up perceptions of what ought to be sexy.

 

[Dogger807]

This has so much potential to be the basis for a greater understanding of life on this planet. It also has the potential for being abused horribly. Whether it should be studied or not is a moot point... it will be studied. In the future the fruits of this labor will be a double edged sword

 

[Dezaad]

This is fascinating research. It does raise the question for us as a society, "Is it good for us as a society to have a 'natural' level of homosexuality?" Are there things that the existence of homosexuality contributes to society? Will the societies that don't have it be stronger or weaker?

Will the answers to these questions be different for different societies? For example, in a country like China, which is profoundly overpopulated, would it be better for more people to be gay? So, would people be able to choose (or be forced) to have gay children, assuming the reverse treatment came available?

The fact of the research makes us honestly determine the answers to these and many other questions.

On a side note, a swipe at homophobes: Most homophobes should be opposing the research as a waste of money based on homosexuality being a simple choice. When it comes out that the research works on humans, they should deny that fact, sort of like people who believe the Earth is flat. They should be opposed to the treatment as a snake oil exploitation of worried parents and/or adults not willing to 'take responsibility' for their own perverted choices. I could go on, but suffice it to say that they will not take any of these positions, which is richly ironic. It is highly likely that they will embrace the treatments and apply their own cruel twist to this and every thing else they touch: They will try to force gay people to accept the treatment, while conveniently ignoring the inherent inconsistency in doing so.