Science of Desire: The Search for the Gay Gene and the Biology of BehaviorA compelling behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge scientific inquiry, as well as a brilliant examination of the ramifications of genetic research, The Science of Desire is a lasting resource in the increasingly significant debate over the role that genetics plays in our lives. In July 1993, a scientific event made front-page news: the discovery that genetics plays a significant role in determining homosexuality. In The Science of Desire, Dean Hamer—the scientist behind the groundbreaking study—tells the inside story of how the discovery was made and what it means, not only for our understanding of sexuality, but for human behavior in general. In this accessible and remarkably clear book, Dean Hamer expands on the account of his history-making research to explore the scientific, social, and ethical issues raised by his findings. Dr. Hamer addresses such tough questions as whether it would be possible or ethical to test in utero for the gay gene; whether genetic manipulation could or should be used to alter a person's sexuality; and how a gay gene could have survived evolution. A compelling behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge scientific inquiry, as well as a brilliant examination of the ramifications of genetic research, The Science of Desire is a lasting resource in the increasingly significant debate over the role that genetics plays in our lives. |
Contents
| 13 | |
| 17 | |
| 39 | |
Whos Gay? | 52 |
Building Family Trees | 74 |
A Mothers Legacy | 91 |
Looking for Linkage | 105 |
The Harvard Crucible | 123 |
Sissies Freud and Sex Acts | 164 |
Evolution | 180 |
Beyond Sex | 187 |
Implications of a Gay Gene | 207 |
A Linkage Between DNA Markers on the X | 223 |
Interview Questionnaire | 234 |
Notes | 244 |
Sources and Further Reading | 250 |
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Common terms and phrases
alcoholism allele androgen receptor asked attraction aunt background rate Bailey behavior genetics biology bisexual brain called cancer cause cells chromosome chromosome 19 Clinic color blindness correlation cousins thru disease example experiment factor family studies family tree fantasy father female frequency gay brothers gay gene genetic link geneticist heterosexual hormones human genome Human Genome Project human sexuality identified influence inherited interview involved Kaposi's Kaposi's sarcoma Kinsey Scale large number lesbians LeVay linkage analysis linkage studies loci locus LOD score look male homosexuality male relatives male sexual orientation markers Maternal cousins maternal uncles mother mutation pairs of brothers parents pedigree percent person phenotype Pillard population probands protein question rates of homosexuality receptor gene region role samples Science scientific scientists sexual orientation share sib-pair siblings significant statistical Stella subjects testosterone theory tion trait women X chromosome X-linked