The science of desire: the search for the gay gene and the biology of behavior
1995; Association of College and Research Libraries; Volume: 32; Issue: 07 Linguagem: Inglês
10.5860/choice.32-4178
ISSN1943-5975
AutoresDean H. Hamer, Peter Copeland,
Tópico(s)Reproductive Health and Technologies
ResumoDean Hamer and his team of researchers at the National Cancer Institute made a remarkable discovery: in families with two brothers, 33 out of 40 pairs shared a distinctive pattern in one region of the X chromosone, a far higher number than chance alone would predict. DNA and family studies confirmed a much higher than average rate of homosexuality among male relatives on the mother's side of the family. The discovery of the marker - popularly, though inaccurately called the gay gene - launched a furious international debate about profound scientific, social and ethical issues. Would it be possible to test prenatally for it? And would parents abort a foetus with the gene? The author tackles these and other important questions with a mixture of scientific objectivity, scepticism and compassion.
Referência(s)