NEW YORK: Experiments conducted by scientists to change the sexuality of homosexual sheep have drawn ire from gay and lesbian activists. They are afraid the efforts could lead to extinction of homosexuality in humans.
The experiments have been approved by the government as farmers complained they are financially affected when one in 10 rams, on average, is gay. After extensive studies of the brains of the homosexual rams, scientists at the Oregon State University have been able to identify the processes that influence their sexual orientation.
These rams were given injections so that the levels of hormones in the brains responsible for the orientation were adjusted with the result that some of the previously gay rams started interacting with ewes.
Former Wimbledon champion Martina Navaratilova, who is a self-admitted lesbian, described the efforts as "homophobic." A gay rights activist likened the experiments to Nazi research in the early 1940s which aimed at eradicating homosexuality. He described them as eugenics.
The scientists said their research is confined to reducing or eliminating gay sheep. Charles Roselli, a biologist leading the research team, said sexuality has been an under-studied subject because of political concerns.
"It's a touchy issue. In fact, several studies have shown that people who believe homosexuality is biologically based are less homophobic than people who think that this orientation is acquired," he said.
He said any possible applications of his research to humans were not a matter for him.
Gay activists say the simplicity of the process in altering the hormonal balance of the brain could become easily applicable to humans, when research can be conducted and methods devised to screen unborn children for 'gayness' and even parents resorting to treat their children to become heterosexual.
