Book Review

Gay Science: The ethics of sexual orientation research

N Engl J Med 1998; 338:1477May 14, 1998

Article

Gay Science: The ethics of sexual orientation research
(Between Men — Between Women. Lesbian and Gay Studies.) By Timothy F. Murphy. 268 pp. New York, Columbia University Press, 1997. $29.95. ISBN: 0-231-10848-6

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.

Susan J. Bradley, M.D.
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada