Here is the AAAS press release regarding the Hamer study which will appear in this week's Science. Following, is NOGLSTP's press release regarding the matter. - - - - - - PRESS RELEASE- - - - - - - Embargoed Advance Information from Science Release 6pm EST Thursday, 15 July 1993 Summary of "A Linkage Between DNA Markers on the X Chromosome and Male Sexual Orientation," by Dean Hamer, Stella Hu, Victoria Magnuson, Nan Hu, and Angela Pattatucci at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, in Bethesda MD. DNA markers link male homosexuality to X chromosome: Re- searchers at the National Institute of Health have used pedigree analysis and family DNA linkage studies to identify a region on the X chromosome that may be linked to sexual orientation in a selected group of homosexual males. This analysis constitutes the first step toward mapping and isolating a genetic locus which may influence sexual orientation within a certain subset of male homosexuals. To examine the inheritance pattern of homosexuality, the authors queried 114 homosexual male volunteers about the sexual orientation of their fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and male cousins. After assessing the reliability of this information, the authors assembled pedigree charts indicating that the men's brothers, maternal uncles, and maternal cousins had a signifi- cantly higher probability of being gay than would be expected, given the incidence of homosexuality in the general population (estimated as 2%. At the same time, fathers and paternally related relatives had rates lower than or equal to the general incidence rate. One explanation for maternal transmission of a trait ex- pressed in males would be linkage to the X chromosome, which every male inherits form his mother. To look for a region that might contain a gene sequence that increases an individual's probability of being a homosexual, the authors used 22 DNA mark- ers to scan the X chromosomes of 40 pairs of homosexual brothers. They found that 64% of the sibling pairs tested had a cluster of five identical markers within a discrete region on the tip of the long arm of the X chromosome. This region, called Xq28, is ap- proximately 4 million base pairs long, and is large enough to contain several hundred genes. Identification of an individual gene that might predispose certain males toward homosexuality will require further linkage analysis to narrow the target chro- mosomal region or complete sequencing of the region. "Once a specific gene has been identified," say the authors, "we can find out where and when it is expressed, and how it ultimately con- tributes to development and function in homosexuals and hetero- sexuals. - - - - - -NOGLSTP PRESS RELEASE- - - - - - - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Rochelle Diamond DATE: July 15, 1993 NOGLSTP Chair Scientific Freedom and the Ethics of a Discovered Genetic Link to Homosexuality There have been scientific studies in the past that have suggested a possible biological origin for sexual orientation. Now, a new study published in the July 15th edition of the journal Science, Dr. Dean Hamer has suggested that at least one genetic component, and possibly more, are involved, and that the putative gene(s) is linked to the X chromosome in humans. Our reaction as gay and lesbian scientists is mixed. On the one hand, we are pleased that there is now scientific support that sexual orientation has an immutable component. On the other hand, this work raises the specter of the various possibilities of screening for such components. We, as scientists, feel that now is the time to address the ethical questions surrounding the use of such information in advance, so that the ethics may evolve with the science instead of lagging behind, as often happens. In popular terms, Dr. Hamer and his colleagues have looked at the genetic fingerprints of the X chromosomes passed maternally from a mother to her gay sons. Each X chromosome has a unique pattern of markers and can be distinguished from one another. Dr. Hamer has found in the majority of cases with a mother and her two gay sons that the same patterned chromosome has been passed to both gay sons. This implies that the trait for homosex- uality is not random between the two chromosomes, but is in fact linked to a particular marker of one of the X chromosomes. Dr. Hamer's data in no way implies that homosexuality is linked to a single gene, on the contrary, his research has just begun to explore the likelihood that multiple genes may govern a behavioral characteristic such as sexual orientation. In such a case, genetic manipulation of the trait would be nearly impossible. In the best of all possible worlds, diversity would be valued and this study would be strictly of scientific interest. In our present social environment, however, there are a number of pressing concerns that need to be addressed. One advantage of finding a genetic link to sexual orientation lies mostly in the legislative and legal agenda of obtaining civil rights under current law. For example, the Supreme Court of Hawaii is currently ruling on the legality of gay marriage, not so much on the basis of sex discrimi- nation or the right to privacy, but based on the biological imperative that a genetically immutable trait would have on civil rights protection for a minority group. Dr. Hamer's data would strengthen such a case. This information also may abolish society's tendency to seek and establish blame for a person's divergent sexuality. There are disadvantages to linking a trait to the genome. We are concerned that in the future, it may be possible to screen fetuses for genetic traits, including homosexuality allowing for termination of a pregnancy on such a basis. Adults and children could potentially be screened for military recruitment or insurance purposes. We take issue with the possibility that marriage or childbearing might be restricted to genetically desirable people. Unregulated, this genetic information has a potential for great abuse. In a larger context, the ethics of biodiversity has not been adequately explored. The possibility of screening for diseases like Huntington's chorea, diabetes, or any other genetically transmitted disorders has only recently been discussed. What has not been discussed, but for which the potential exists, is future screening for medically irrelevant traits like gender, hair color, handedness, or homosexuality. NOGLSTP supports the formation of a commission to take up these ethical issues and their implications for public policy, in the areas of national healthcare reform, civil rights legislation, and the right to privacy. The commission should include scientists, particularly biolo- gists, medical doctors, policy makers, and ethicists. It could be support- ed by the National Institute of Health under its Human Genome Initiative or it could be commissioned by the President or Congress, in a manner similar to the AIDS Commission. Most gays and lesbians feel that civil rights belong to all humans and that one's genetic heritage should be irrelevant. NOGLSTP believes that civil rights for all should not be predicated on biology but rather on our humanity. Many feel that studies addressing the biology of homosexuality are irrelevant to their lives. NOGLSTP supports scientific freedom and the social responsibilities that go along with its discoveries. We believe that basic research, such as Hamer's work, should be pursued in order to further our understanding of how the universe works. However, in the real world we all must be concerned about the ethical and unethical use of genetic information. About National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals, Inc.: NOGLSTP is a non-profit national organization of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people employed or interested in scientific or high technology fields. NOGLSTP's goals include dialog with professional organ- izations, disseminating information, improving its members' employment and professional environment, opposing anti-gay and anti-lesbian discrimination and stereotypes, educating the gay, scientific, and general communities, and fostering inter-city contacts among its members. For more information about NOGLSTP, write to PO Box 91803, Pasadena CA 91109, or call 818 791- 7689.