Overview

What causes a child to grow up gay or straight? In this book, neuroscientist Simon LeVay summarizes a wealth of scientific evidence that points to one inescapable conclusion: Sexual orientation results primarily from an interaction between genes, sex hormones, and the cells of the developing body and brain. LeVay helped create this field in 1991 with a much-publicized study in Science, where he reported on a difference in the brain structure between gay and straight men. Since then, an entire scientific discipline has sprung up around the quest for a biological explanation of sexual orientation. In this book, LeVay provides a clear explanation of where the science stands today, taking the reader on a whirlwind tour of laboratories that specialize in genetics, endocrinology, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology, and family demographics. He describes, for instance, how researchers have manipulated the sex hormone levels of animals during development, causing them to mate preferentially with animals of their own gender. LeVay also reports on the prevalence of homosexual behavior among wild animals, ranging from Graylag geese to the Bonobo chimpanzee. Although many details remain unresolved, the general conclusion is quite clear: A person's sexual orientation arises in large part from biological processes that are already underway before birth.

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9780199931583

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Reviews

<br> A comprehensive, engaging and occasionally quite funny look at the current state of the research on the topic. --Schuyler Velasco, Salon<br><p><br> A clear and comprehensive summary of recent studies of sexual orientation--a review that should be useful to lay people and journalists as well as to professionals in the field. LeVay has a knack for describing complicated scientific topics--brain anatomy, behavior genetics, endocrinology, cognitive psychology--in straight-forward and easy-to-understand ways. --Richard Lippa, Sex Roles<br><p><br> This book will serve both as a resource for researchers looking for what is yet unknown and what questions need further research and as a fascinating read for the educated layperson, who will be intrigued by some of the factors that may relate to homosexuality.... Recommended. --Choice<br><p><br> LeVay also does a nice job illustrating that the argument for sexual orientation as determinded is not a singular cause-and-effect argument.... Yet, it is important for scholars and clinicians alike across various paradigms to be aware of the research reviewed in Gay, Straight and the Reason Why. --PsycCritiques<br><p><br> Although the book's chief appeal probably will be to professionals dealing with these issues, other interested readers will find it an informative and generally approachable read. --Publishers Weekly<br><p><br>

Author Information

Simon LeVay is a British-born neuroscientist who has served on the faculties of Harvard Medical School and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He has written ten previous books, including the New York Times best-seller, When Science Goes Wrong.

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