OHSU

Sunday Times Article

On Sunday December 31, 2006, The Sunday Times in London printed an error-filled and highly misleading article on the research. The article has since been retracted by the Sunday Times and a correction and apology have been issued. However, the article can still be located on numerous web sites via a Google search.

Here are the mistakes made by the authors of that article:

  • The subtitle of the article says that the “experiments claim to cure homosexuality.” This is not true. A review of the published data proves this point.

  • The first line of the article claims that scientists are trying to change the sexuality of gay sheep. This is not true and in fact is a major factual error. The statement is in reference to the test of a hypothesis, where the scientists wanted to determine whether a change in biology during development of sheep influenced partner preference. In reality, the scientists were trying to see if limited androgen resulted in same-partner preference (animals that preferred same-sex mates) the exact opposite of what the reporter states.

  • Therefore the Sunday Times statement: “The technique being developed by American researchers adjusts the hormonal balance in the brains of homosexual rams so that they are more inclined to mate with ewes” is false. The reporter misunderstood the research and reported the opposite of what was investigated (again, in testing a hypothesis).

  • This statement “Experts say that, in theory, the “straightening” procedure on humans could be as simple as a hormone supplement for mothers-to-be, worn on the skin like an anti-smoking nicotine patch.” These "experts" were not affiliated with the research and the statement was left unattributed, so the reader has no idea who made this bleak suggestion. This statement shows a clear lack of understanding of the research and is a simplified, science fiction statement that has no basis in reality.

  • The story states that the scientists have had "considerable success" in changing animal's sexual preference. This is not true.\

  • The article claims that there is great public outcry. This is not true. Our university has never been contacted by any lesbian/gay group that is opposed to this research. In fact we have communicated with such groups that support the research because it validates their view that the research demonstrates a biological connection to homosexuality. As for Martina Navratilova’s letter, the phone numbers listed in the letter to reach the tennis star are actually phone numbers for PETA employees.

  • The article says electronic sensors are being implanted in animals’ brains by cutting the sheep brains open. This is not true. A review of all of the published research, will show that this is not part of the research.

  • The Sunday Times article says that the study is currently under peer-review. This is not true. This statement in the article suggests that there is an ongoing scientific question about the validity of this research - there is not. Prior to funding by the NIH, the research was peer reviewed and approved for funding, the process associated with all grants. This is a very significant distinction.

  • The article repeatedly suggests that the research is being done to cure homosexuality. This is not true. In fact, the researchers have proactively explained for years that this is a basic science study. The only suggestion of a human use for this research come from the animal rights group PETA (4 years after the research was originally announced). Clearly PETA is attacking this research because it involves animals.

  • The reader does not find out until the end of the article that PETA is the "pressure group" behind the campaign against this research. Such an important detail should have been stated at the beginning of the article as it clearly raises questions about the motives behind the criticism.

A review of the Times article was investigated by a biologist unaffiliated with OHSU.