Scientists look to straighten homosexual sheep

[mawilson 2,133]

Former Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova has come out in favour of the rights

of homosexual sheep in a burgeoning row over tests carried out by two US universities

aimed at "curing" ovine friends of Dorothy.

According to The Times, researchers at Oregon State University in the city of Corvallis

and at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland were able to "pinpoint the

mechanisms influencing the desires of 'male-oriented' rams by studying their brains".

Specifically, they cut open the offending sheeps' skulls, attached electonic sensors to

their grey matter and monitored them while "varying the hormone levels, mainly by

injecting hormones into the brain". They reported "considerable success" in getting

previously gay rams to consider a bit of boy-on-girl.

The purpose behind these experiments is to "improve the productivity of herds" since

"approximately one ram in 10 prefers to mount other rams rather than mate with ewes".

The implications are far more sinister, opponents claim, since the acquired knowledge

could in the future be used to "cure" human homosexuality, or may offer the prospect

that "pregnant women could one day be offered a [hormone] treatment to reduce or

eliminate the chance that their offspring will be homosexual".

Ms Navratilova weighed in with: "How can it be that in the year 2006 a major university

would host such homophobic and cruel experiments?"

UK gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell declared: "These experiments echo Nazi

research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. They stink of

eugenics. There is a danger that extreme homophobic regimes may try to use these

experimental results to change the orientation of gay people."

Udo Schuklenk, Professor of Bioethics at Glasgow Caledonian University, who has

"written to the researchers pressing them to stop", added: "I don't believe the motives

of the study are homophobic, but their work brings the terrible possibility of exploitation

by homophobic societies. Imagine this technology in the hands of Iran, for example.

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

Professor Charles Roselli, the Health and Science University biologist heading the

research programme, defended his work with: "In general, sexuality has been

under-studied because of political concerns. People don't want science looking into

what determines sexuality."

Michael Bailey, a neurology professor at Northwestern University near Chicago, risked

the wrath of the gay community by stating: "Allowing parents to select their children’s

sexual orientation would further a parent's freedom to raise the sort of children they

want to raise."

As for the unfortunate gay rams subjected to the research teams' uninvited attentions,

it remained for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to slam their sufferings as

"a needless slaughter of animals, an affront to human dignity and a colossal waste

of precious research funds".

Source

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Former Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova has come out in favour of the rights

of homosexual sheep in a burgeoning row over tests carried out by two US universities

aimed at "curing" ovine friends of Dorothy.

[Jenn! 918]

Not sure what I think about this yet.

Interesting.

[eric&gen 0]

Gay sheep?? whats next gay fish? gay gerbles? Animals turning gay huh lol.

Edited January 2, 2007 by eric&gen

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"These experiments echo Nazi research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. They stink of

eugenics. There is a danger that extreme homophobic regimes may try to use these experimental results to change the orientation of gay people."

I agree...sad.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

"These experiments echo Nazi research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. They stink of

eugenics. There is a danger that extreme homophobic regimes may try to use these experimental results to change the orientation of gay people."

I agree...sad.

you're supposed to say "baaaaaaaaaa"

[rebeccajo 14]

"These experiments echo Nazi research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. They stink of

eugenics. There is a danger that extreme homophobic regimes may try to use these experimental results to change the orientation of gay people."

I agree...sad.

Steven....puh-leeze.

It's sheep.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"These experiments echo Nazi research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. They stink of

eugenics. There is a danger that extreme homophobic regimes may try to use these experimental results to change the orientation of gay people."

I agree...sad.

Steven....puh-leeze.

It's sheep.

The ramifications extend beyond just sheep.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

The ramifications extend beyond just sheep.

pun intended?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The ramifications extend beyond just sheep.

pun intended?

Baaaaaaa...

[Sheriff Uling 3]

If being straight is the norm and it's scientifically proven that people are born gay. Wouldn't that make being gay a birth defect? Shouldn't we find a cure for it? What do you think? I'm not trying to be funny... I'm serious!!!

[rebeccajo 14]

If being straight is the norm and it's scientifically proven that people are born gay. Wouldn't that make being gay a birth defect? Shouldn't we find a cure for it? What do you think? I'm not trying to be funny... I'm serious!!!

It'd be interesting if they found out positively that 'being gay' was biologically programmed. I don't know how else such things are ever going to be discovered if the research isn't done on animals. What are you gonna do....crack open a living person's skull and wire it up?

[Jenn! 918]

If being straight is the norm and it's scientifically proven that people are born gay. Wouldn't that make being gay a birth defect? Shouldn't we find a cure for it? What do you think? I'm not trying to be funny... I'm serious!!!

I was thinking about this too. One of the arguments for homosexuality being genetic as opposed to a chosen lifestyle is that no one would choose to be homosexual given the increased number of obstacles. To me this implies that many homosexuals if given the choice would have preferred to *not* have been born that way.

Also, if my parents were the type to want to choose my sexual orientation, I think I'd probably want them to go ahead and do it. Let the parents who are more open to "alternative lifestyles" have homosexual children.

[eric&gen 0]

Time to strap my boots on baaaaaa baaaaaa.

[rebeccajo 14]

Time to strap my boots on baaaaaa baaaaaa.

Wellies, Eric, wellies. They're called wellies........................LOL