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TechnographImproving 'gaydar' harmful
By The Daily Illini Editorial Board
Posted: 6/18/08 Section: Editorials
It's pretty common for quirky new scientific studies to make their way into the news cycle. Their subjects are guaranteed to pique the interest of readers, such as the real number of calories in some piece of celery you just ate, or that taller people have a greater likelihood of playing basketball. But many involve sex.
While some are fun to read, many are a waste of time and brainpower. Even though they're not hurting anyone, they aren't exactly working to cure cancer either. But according to a story published in the Los Angeles Times this week, some scientists think that sexual orientation can be successfully correlated with certain appearance cues.
The story mentions one study that found that the hair of gay men was 3.5 times more likely to grow in a counterclockwise fashion.
Still another found that men who were left-handed were 34 percent more likely to be gay. That figure grew to 90 percent for women.
What?
Scientific inquiry is fine, but not only do we not see a constructive application for any of this data, it's likely that the findings could fuel prejudice and discrimination.
Looking for genetic cues of sexual orientation sounds like the top of a slippery slope, especially considering other scientific research in the areas of genetic modification.
If that procedure ever becomes acceptably mainstream, we fear that such a procedure could be used not to guard against disease and birth defects, but to prevent or "cure" homosexuality in future generations.
Not to mention the pain that would come to those who wish to keep their orientation private if a scientist were to go on national television and declare that "X" is a sure sign of homosexuality.
Obviously, we are all not the same genetically or physically, but there are many better ways to embrace our differences than, as the story put it, "working on gaydar."
In most cases, science is its own virtue. But once in awhile, we can't help but think that there are some things that aren't worth finding an answer to.
Finding out if eggs are healthy? Yes. Curing cancer? Most definitely. Perfecting gaydar? Not even close.
While some are fun to read, many are a waste of time and brainpower. Even though they're not hurting anyone, they aren't exactly working to cure cancer either. But according to a story published in the Los Angeles Times this week, some scientists think that sexual orientation can be successfully correlated with certain appearance cues.
The story mentions one study that found that the hair of gay men was 3.5 times more likely to grow in a counterclockwise fashion.
Still another found that men who were left-handed were 34 percent more likely to be gay. That figure grew to 90 percent for women.
What?
Scientific inquiry is fine, but not only do we not see a constructive application for any of this data, it's likely that the findings could fuel prejudice and discrimination.
Looking for genetic cues of sexual orientation sounds like the top of a slippery slope, especially considering other scientific research in the areas of genetic modification.
If that procedure ever becomes acceptably mainstream, we fear that such a procedure could be used not to guard against disease and birth defects, but to prevent or "cure" homosexuality in future generations.
Not to mention the pain that would come to those who wish to keep their orientation private if a scientist were to go on national television and declare that "X" is a sure sign of homosexuality.
Obviously, we are all not the same genetically or physically, but there are many better ways to embrace our differences than, as the story put it, "working on gaydar."
In most cases, science is its own virtue. But once in awhile, we can't help but think that there are some things that aren't worth finding an answer to.
Finding out if eggs are healthy? Yes. Curing cancer? Most definitely. Perfecting gaydar? Not even close.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
drew
posted 6/18/08 @ 2:53 AM CST
I'm always mystified by people who would prefer that instead of taking on the responsibility to use knowledge wisely, we simply not pursue the knowledge. (Continued…)
Erlenmeyer
posted 6/18/08 @ 12:34 PM CST
Excellent comments Drew.
Patrick
posted 6/18/08 @ 1:24 PM CST
You forget the very important point that a lot of those studies might try to show that sexual preference is a genetic trait, and not something that people can choose. (Continued…)
Terri Murray
posted 6/19/08 @ 4:04 AM CST
Discrimination and demoralization of homosexuals have always been defended on the grounds that homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice" or "unnatural". Revealing the facts (that it is genetic) will make it impossible to treat homosexuality as a moral issue. (Continued…)
Yuri
posted 6/19/08 @ 6:05 PM CST
I have very mixed feelings about this kind of research. The way it is presented in the media, it sounds like researchers are assume two genders that match two sexes and that people are either homosexual or heterosexual. (Continued…)
Erlenmeyer
posted 6/19/08 @ 10:30 PM CST
Yuri,
That begs the question as to whether or not the research is so narrowly construed or if it is merely the interpretation/presentation by the media. (Continued…)
Louis
posted 6/26/08 @ 12:50 PM CST
I would really like to know how this group conducted their research, and how many people they studied to come to these results. It seems a little shady to me, seeing as my wife and I are both heterosexual and left handed. (Continued…)
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