2006-05-09 19:04:29.448739+00 by Dan Lyke 2 comments
I want to link to Study: Lesbian's Brains React Differently, which allegedly sources from an article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, but I can't find the study there (although I have found a previous study by one of the same authors on brain response in homosexual men) and the most prominent author's website doesn't have any mention of this either.
[ related topics: Sexual Culture Health Current Events ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2006-05-11 15:45:10.344955+00 by: petronius
Maybe Lesbian links work differently.
#Comment Re: Sexual expression is an inherent human right made: 2006-05-11 19:49:41.937556+00 by: m
As a retired, sometimes biochemist, sometimes other things, this is extremely interesting, from both an intellectual and scientific viewpoint. But nothing really new. The XY pair in and of itself does not cause the immediate differentiation of the sexes. It has long been known that during embryonic development, all humans start as physiologic females. At a critical point, hormonal changes cause the labia to fuse to form the scrotum (which is why it has a seam). The meat us and urethra migrate to the end of the clitoris, which enlarges into a penis. The ovaries become testes, and eventually descend into the scrotum. Very old news.
That the brain is directly affected by the hormonal tide has also been known, and is unsurprising. All organs and tissues are morphed to one degree or another by these agents.
It is troublesome that this biological phenomenon is being used as a physiological justification for the existence of homosexuality as "natural". the reason it is troubling is not because homosexuality is unnatural or sin or other nonsense. But rather because using this biological phenomenon as a justification for sexual behavior is a philosophical, legal and ethical crime against humanity.
This is exactly the same argument that was used to deny the humanity of homosexuality in the past. Homosexuality was unnatural. Now some still want to say it is permissible to deny some sexual behavior as unnatural, but they just want to move the dividing line. This is a denial of human rights. To accept this argument, is to only expand the definition of natural. It is a convenience without change.
I am a human being. I have sexual predilections. More importantly, I experience a phenomenon called love. Love is far to complex to be determined by genetics and the embryonic hormonal environment alone. My desires, my expression of my emotions must be permissible on the basis that they are mine, and I am entitled to them as a sentient.
The only limitations that exist may exist in an ethical society, are those of consent of the parties involved, in the full meaning of the word consent. I have an inherent right to that sexuality no matter from what or where it evolved. Anything less is just more prejudice.