Friday, 30 August 2019

A Pink Gene?

I am somewhat unsurprised that scientists have managed to refute the idea that there is a single 'gay' gene (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/29/scientists-quash-idea-of-single-gay-gene). Here was me thinking that it had all been sorted decades ago with a recognition that, in addition to complex genetic factors, influences like the in utero hormonal exposure, how one is responded to by parents and peers, one's own body image et cetera all play roles (to different degrees) in different individuals. Although genes are interesting, I do think there is a tendency to try to link them to every human quirk. Scientists don't seem capable to resisting the tendency to medicalise.

1 comment:

Brian said...

Scientism is an ideology that promotes science as the only objective means by which society should determine normative and epistemological values. Particularly evident in cultures where 'materialism' has become the dominant ethos?

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