Gay Science [Hardcover]

Timothy F. Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Between Men~Between Women: Lesbian and Gay Studies | Publication Date: April 15, 1997

Gay Science is the first comprehensive examination of the ethical questions surrounding sexual orientation research. Bioethicist Timothy Murphy presents the views of many gay men and women who detect ominous motives behind this research. If a genetic marker were discovered for homosexual tendencies would genetic screening be used to further discriminate against gay people? If a method for changing sexual orientation were developed would it would be forced upon gay adults, or children whose parents suspected they might grow up to be gay. Given the potential for its misuse, is sexual orientation research fundamentally unethical?

Murphy acknowledges that much of sexual orientation research to date has been bad science, questionable in its motives and methodologically unsound. He examines the social and historical conditions, from the 1880s to the present, that spawned this research and reviews the findings that have often perpetuated confusion about homosexuality. He assesses five major studies on sexual orientation undertaken in the 1990s, from neuroanatomist Simon leVay's study of certain brain structures in gay men to the work of psychologist Joseph Nicolosi. He questions the flawed and simplistic assumptions about sexuality made by much of this research, Murphy argues that a true science of sexual orientation would not be focused exclusively upon homosexuality nor presuppose its pathology.

Throughout the book Murphy argues that concerns about the potential misuses of this research do not justify its prohibition. Tackling gay science's most troubling aspects, he contends that if this research leads to the development of effective sexual orientation therapies, informed adults should have the choice to undergo them; he also examines the factors that weigh in favor of a parental right to choose or attempt to influence the sexual orientation of a child, and the ethical limits to such a right.

Pointing to the potential benefits of sexual orientation research as well as acknowledging its potential for harm, Murphy ultimately defends gay science in the name of free scientific inquiry. Gay Science argues that the way to ensure the future of gay people is not through censoring sexual orientation research but through working toward a society which uses reseach as a way of dinstinguishing myth from fact and not as an instrument of discrimination.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The heated debate over whether homosexuality is a choice or is biologically determined has almost been overshadowed by the question of whether the research will be used for or against the gay civil rights movement. Murphy (medical humanities, Univ. of Illinois) offers an ethical overview and analysis of the current state of sexual orientation research from his perspective as a "philosopher of medicine." Because "human eroticism always encompasses biopsychic dispositions, cultural possibilities, and personal choices," Murphy maintains that it is "highly misleading and reductive to believe that there could be a single cause of complex erotic interests and behaviors." Arguing that even potential abuse of the research does not justify its prohibition, the determinedly objective Murphy champions free scientific inquiry in this important addition to the field. A good complement to Simon LeVay's survey of historical research into homosexuality, Queer Science (LJ 7/15/97).?James Edward Van Buskirk, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From The New England Journal of Medicine

The goal of this book is simple. Murphy wants to convince his audience that research on sexual orientation, whether aimed at discovering causes of or tests or treatments for homoeroticism, is not in itself a threat to the well-being of gay and lesbian people. This effort must be understood as a reaction to the heated debate about the ethics of sexual-orientation studies in general. As a heterosexual reader, I found his arguments convincing. Whether a gay or lesbian reader will be convinced is less clear.

Murphy, a professor in the Medical Humanities Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and a writer on various ethical issues specifically affecting gay people, provides a brief overview of recent advances in sexology and proceeds to argue that none of these advances should threaten people with homosexual preferences. The critical issue is how this new information is or will be used. Murphy suggests that instead of fighting for bans on further sexual-orientation research, the gay community is better served by strong advocacy to protect the rights of gay and lesbian persons. He argues that as long as the rights of individuals are protected, including the preservation of informed consent, no research or treatment should interfere with the best interests of those involved. He even suggests that with appropriate safeguards in place and in spite of the prevailing bias against homosexuality, gay people could benefit from appropriate use of tests of sexual orientation, were they to be developed.

Through hypothetical scenarios involving prenatal testing for a homosexual tendency, Murphy argues that the right of parents to choose the ultimate orientation of their child is in the best interests of the child. He also argues that sexual-reorientation therapy, if proved to be effective, should be available for persons who are distressed about their homoerotic feelings. He stresses that such therapy does not exist at present and that it is incumbent on all therapists providing supposed reorientation therapy to properly inform patients about the evidence for and against such interventions.

In the midst of these hypothetical arguments, Murphy allows that the future development and use of tests of and treatments for homoeroticism could result in a reduction of the number of gay and lesbian people in the world. He does not, however, see this as a serious problem, since he believes that there will always be a sufficient number of people with homosexual preferences to maintain a strong voice and culture. This is a courageous stance for a gay author and reflects his obviously strong belief in the value of legal and ethical safeguards. Murphy appears to be trying to assuage fears in the gay community through reason. His reasons are compelling at an intellectual level, especially to nonthreatened heterosexual persons, but I doubt that the gay and lesbian community will be reassured.

Overall, this is a worthwhile book for those interested in either the science or the politics of sexual-orientation research. Although Murphy's arguments are at times repetitive and sometimes tedious, the points are well made and therefore provide a valuable contribution to this debate.

Reviewed by Susan J. Bradley, M.D.
Copyright © 1998 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark of the MMS.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (April 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231108486
• ISBN-13: 978-0231108485
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,339,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.