Whether people grow up to be 'straight' or 'gay' is determined before we are born, according to a new book by leading researchers in the field of psychobiology from the Institute of Psychiatry and the University of East London (UEL), published on 7th July.
Born Gay: The Psychobiology of Sex Orientation is co-authored by Dr Qazi Rahman, Senior Lecturer in Psychobiology at UEL's School of Psychology, and Dr Glenn Wilson, Reader in Personality at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London.
Throughout history there have been many conflicting theories about the cause of sexual orientation, including seduction, smothering mothers and genetics. Although some people go through a phase of uncertainty, most of us have a clear idea of our own sexual preference. There have also been widely varying attitudes, ranging from celebration of homosexuality to psychiatric classification of it as an illness.
Through a comprehensive examination of evidence from a range of disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, genetics, endocrinology and evolutionary biology, the authors conclude that sexual orientation is determined by a combination of genetics and hormonal activity in the womb - and that upbringing, childhood experience and personal choice have little or no influence.
The authors argue that the 2% to 4% of people in the population who are gay are born that way, and this proportion does not seem to vary across societies. While men tend to be either heterosexual or homosexual, with little evidence for true bisexuality, women show more mixed preferences.
Although the genetic mechanism for a homosexual orientation is unclear, its persistence suggests that the genes responsible for some 'gay' behaviour, such as sociability, empathy and charm, confer evolutionary advantages. In other words, gay men don't have many children but straight men with gay genes - and therefore a greater dose of "gay personality" - are more reproductively successful that those without because women favour these men.
The book also draws on the authors' own recent groundbreaking research into the differences in neurological responses of homosexual and heterosexual men and women. They show how the evidence debunks most so-called 'common-sense' theories about sexual orientation - for example, that homosexuals seduce others into becoming gay, or that gay parents influence the sexual orientation of their biological or adopted children.
Dr Rahman, who has spent six years investigating the neurodevelopment of human sex differences and sexual orientation, said: "Over the past decade or so, bio-behavioural research has shed important new light on how sexual orientation develops. Many of these findings may be surprising, and some may upset people who believe that we can choose our sexuality, or somehow 'cure' homosexuality."
The book also helps to identify the foundation of sexual preference in both men and women and looks at differences within sexual orientation. This challenges, for example, the simplistic notion that gay men have female brains while lesbians have male brains.
Ends/.
Qazi Rahman is available from interview - contact 020 8223 2769 or e-mail: Q.Rahman@uel.ac.uk
Or contact Patrick Wilson University of East London: 020 8223 2061 / 07951 797 975
Born Gay: The Psychobiology of Sexual Orientation is published in the UK on July 7, 2005. www.peterowen.com
For US publication details, please contact Dufour Editions, Inc. (info@dufouredtions.com).
If you would like to receive a copy of Born Gay or would like further information, please contact Daniel McCabe or Alex Parsonage on 020 7373 5628, fax 020 7373 6760 or email daniel@peterowen.com
Dr Qazi Rahman is Senior Lecturer in Psychobiology in the School of Psychology at the University of East London. Dr Rahman completed a Medical Research Council-funded PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry (King's College, London) where he examined the neurodevelopmental, sensorimotor and neurocognitive basis of human sexual orientation. He has held a Lectureship in Neuropsychology at the Institute of Psychiatry and at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Schools (Kings College, London). He has also completed post-doctoral research at the Institute of Psychiatry.
Dr Rahman's research expertise focuses on the psychobiology of human sexual orientation and sex differences in cognition. He is regarded as one of the leading young scientists in this area of study.
Dr Glenn Wilson is Reader in Personality at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Nevada at Reno. He has published more than one hundred scientific articles and thirty books on topics. His research includes the following areas: personality and individual differences (measurement and theory); social and political attitudes; sexual attraction, deviation and dysfunction; marital incompatibility; startle reflex modulation as a measure of emotion; psychology applied to performing arts. A pioneer in the field of evolutionary theories of sex differences, attractions and love, he is ranked within the ten most cited British psychologists.
The University of East London (UEL) is a leading modern (post-1992) university, rated in the top 5 in the UK for teaching and in the top 10 for research, according to The Guardian, with a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry. Today, UEL is a global learning community, with 18,000 students from over 100 countries worldwide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of our diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. Web site: www.uel.ac.uk
© 2005
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