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This article was published in the Monday, April 5, 1999 issue of the Daily Texan.
Female inner ear comes out of the closet
UT psychology professor says ear emissions may be related to sexual preference
Monty Markland
Daily Texan Staff
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Ryan Brown A UT psychology professor has found evidence that sexual preference may be biologically determined in the most unlikely of places -- the human ear. A sensitive microphone is inserted in the ear canal to detect SOAEs. Dennis McFadden has studied inner ear behavior in female subjects for the past year. McFadden measured spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs), weak pure tones emitted by the human ear. Tones produced in homosexual women's inner ears he studied were weaker in signal and less numerous than those of the heterosexual women studied. The homosexual women exhibited tones similar to those of male test subjects. |
Similar research has been going on for over 100 years.
In 1899, German researcher Magnus Hirschfeld suggested homosexuality was biological in nature and began the gay civil rights movement on those grounds.
More recently, in 1991, Simon LeVay, author of The Sexual Brain, based biological claims for sexual orientation on the differences in brain structure of heterosexual and homosexual male corpses.
In 1993, Dean Hamer, author of The Science of Desire, discovered the purported "gay gene." Hamer's study searched 40 pairs of homosexual brothers for five genetic markers. He found that 33 pairs shared the markers.
Supporters of genetic determination hailed the study as proof. Hamer, however, was cautious in agreeing. He felt that the genes played some role in 5 percent to 30 percent of gay men.
"From twin studies, we already know that half or more of the variability in sexual orientation is not inherited," Hamer said. "Our studies try to pinpoint the genetic factors ... not negate the psychological ones."
Despite these studies, the Family Research Council denounces claims of biological homosexuality.
Yvette Cantu, FRC policy analyst, said she chose to become heterosexual and feels gays and lesbians have the same opportunity.
"It took me three years to overcome sexuality," Cantu said. "It's difficult to imagine a more self-destructive behavior than homosexuality -- I never regretted my decision to leave the lifestyle."
McFadden's inner ear study also raises questions concerning male versus female homosexuality. Unlike females, male heterosexuals and homosexuals exhibit no inner ear difference.
McFadden suggests there may be basic differences in the process through which a male or female sexual preference is determined.
McFadden's study is a double-edged sword, supporting biological origins for sexuality, but raising the spectre of genetic policing. He explained that SOAE's aren't a diagnostic tool to determine sexual preference, but allowed that scientific developments could make tests possible.
"There are potential dangers surrounding [the study] ... concerning civil rights, genetic testing and the potential for abuse," said Julia Massimind, a member of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Law students Association.
Some fear the potential for state-sponsored tests.
"Testing sexuality is almost like trying to get to the root of the problem," said Tree Marsoobian, founder and president of She Says, a student group for lesbian and bisexual woman.
Marsoobian added that gay-testing could complicate certain legal issues, such as the gay-adoption bill.
"People say, 'If I was gay I'd be outraged,'" she said. "Well, you're human, and you should be outraged."
