Sexuality CAN be changed...

[Delkaetre]

... in fruitflies, at least. A group of scientists has discovered a way of 'blocking' certain neurotransmitters, effectively turning the flies from straight to gay to straight.
If this research can be carried up through further levels, it may have some interesting implications for those who believe that homosexuality is a choice rather than something predetermined, built in to that individual.
It would also have worrying implications in that less scrupulous groups may be able to market 'de-gay' drugs to certain church ministries- "Don't like the way your son Jonny keeps looking at the nighbour's son, Kevin? Slip this into his cereal every morning and he'll never look that way again!"
Of course, if such drugs were widely marketed, that might allow people to 'test out' other gender preferences. Take this pill and be bisexual for a weekend, see what you think of it.
At any rate, this is going to be worth following up. I can see this becoming a very contentious issue.
There's more information in the article here-
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316316,00.html

For the record, I'm bi and will be very annoyed if anyone tries to change my preferences against my will.

[Draconysius]

This is ludicrous. Leave it to scientists to find answers to the most useless of things, while ignoring the important issues like renewable energy and dwindling food resources. This is what humanity has come to, huh? Making flies gay instead of curing world hunger?

[maggot]

BUT IF YOU MAKE THE FLIES GAY THEY'LL DIE OUT AND STOP EATING OUR CROPS.


And all the birds and bats will die, effectively killing a good amount of wildlife.

[Minyaliel]

Oh no! Can't kill off the bats! :O

[KontanKarite]

This is complete horse shit.

I don't think I even have to articulate in the least, the social lash backs this would get from everyone.

[Methadrine]

Ok, so no one finds it fascinating that they've figured out a way to block certain neurotransmitters? That in itself is pretty neat. Could possibly be used to block malfunctioning transmitters and will help in further research of mental functions.

[KontanKarite]

I think it's great. But I'm seeing a social back lash from current issues.

Of course it's great that this can help people in the future get over whatever it is that's disabling them. Hell, I could use it for a few things I think. Good times.

[skullie]

And.. there planning on... turning us all gay?

Trust scientists to do something both brilliant and stupid. At the same time.

[Cain]

Gosh, the title got me thinking about evil people with rubber gloves and sharp metal objects... but this is even more fun! Seriously now, a strawberry flavour gay-pill could well be the invention to end world hunger, war, irational exploitation of resources, the energy crisis and all the other nasties in just a few, short generations. Not to mention the recreational value (i really love the "bi for the weekend" ideea)!

[Beneath the Shadows]

So.. heterosexuality really is a choice, after all?

[Drake Dun]

There's no point getting all bent out of shape over a discovery about facts of biology. Anyway, this lends credence to what gay rights activists have been hoping (and preemptively believing) the whole time - that homosexuality has proximate physiological roots.

Drake

[AngelikDemonik]

I am happy to see that maybe now there will be proof that homosexuality is something you are born with.

[Drake Dun]

Let's play a game. What will be the response of the religious right to this?

I see only two possibilities.

1) They wheedle and whine that a study on fruit flies shows nothing about humans.

2) They switch from calling homosexuality a "sinful life choice" to calling it a hereditary disease.

I don't think the modern religious have the guts to take the traditional Christian option of saying that yeah, you are born that way, but tough luck. You have to repudiate your nature to get close to God.

Drake

[Post Modern Girl]

I think they wont no longer see it as a choice OR something you are born with. They could simply run with it and claim that its neither, that gays should burn because there is a cure.

Religious nutcases rag my balls, at least it will keep them occupied for awhile.

[gothicusmaximus]

I'm reminded of X-Men 3.

[drewsilla]

Originally Posted by gothicusmaximus

I'm reminded of X-Men 3.

I thought of that, also! How many poor souls will be dragged to the doctor to be "cured" once this thing hits the market?

[Miss_Hazie_Lane]

The amazing thing this study does suggest is: homosexuality is not a choice.

So, in other words, fuck you Christian right. The thing is, I doubt with the implications of this study anyone will want to be cured

[Lapin]

Though fascinating from a medical standpoint, one must realize that they're a long way off from getting this to even begin to work on humans, much less be marketable. As in, years off.

Maybe by then, enough of the major Christian Right leaders will have been outed or will have died, and this will never be an issue.

But, for the record, I like being how I am. I don't need to change.

[Hopeless_Joe]

a hole is a hole. just make it quick so nobody sees!

[Mon Coeur Noir]

Great to see that they are spending their time and money wisely.

How's that cure for AIDS & Cancer commin' along?

[Corpsey]

Last I heard they had developed something called the Lazarus effect, nicely linked to the guy who came back from the dead at the hand of Jesus. It makes people get healthy if they have aids and allows them to live a heathy life. Besides that, only a few prostitutes in Africa have survived aids because of something in their immunity and scientists are looking into it.

Also, on cancer, the smartest person in the world (A person younger than us all probably) is cooking up something with very little funding that takes out the replicating cells.

Does that answer your question?

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What I fear about this is that if they prove that sexuality is a genetic choice, something you're born with, then it will lead to people being even more against homosexuals, with ideals that they have lesser blood or that straight people are genetically superior and that nonsense.

[dark_dragon_of_ice]

I myself prefer the pursuit of knowledge over the ability to come up with new cures...though they are quite close together. Knowledge for the sack of knowledge is what I love =p

[UnSeenEvil]

Than again the gays could use it against the straights. Slip it into our water supply and the next thing you know we all checking out the same sex, and somehow this is all reminding me of the X-men movies as well. Or we could wait for all the Baby boomer's to die off. Remember when Ellen Degeneres first show got canceled because she turned out to be gay and people hated her for it, now look at her she's the most beloved lesbian on TV. In a few years we might see shows like Queer as folk,or OZ or that one cartoon with the gay Duck on national board casting. Just like that lame edited version of sex in the city.
Anyways, in a hundred years we'll probably all end up like the old Greeks, women for babies, men for pleasure. Gland I won't be there to see that.

[Wormboy]

Haha turn the world Bi and nobody will be single for very long ^_^. :-P This is scientific masturbation at it's finest!

[Shadows_Jukebox]

*Goes and barricades door* I'm scared...