Sexual Orientation, Controversy, and Science.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic review methodology or new human data
PubMed 27113562 · doi:10.1177/1529100616637616
What was done
This paper is a narrative review analyzing the intersection between scientific controversies regarding the etiology of sexual orientation and ongoing global sociopolitical controversies over the legal rights and social acceptability of homosexual individuals.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical findings. It notes that nonheterosexual individuals have gained rights and positive public opinion in many Western nations, whereas homosexual behavior remains illegal and punishable (in some cases by the death penalty) in parts of Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Oceania, and Asia. It also notes that while participants in political debates often assume scientific causes of sexual orientation dictate policy decisions, this relevance is frequently poorly justified.
Why it matters
It highlights that social, political, and ethical arguments regarding sexual orientation often misuse or overemphasize scientific etiologic research to justify human rights decisions.
Limits
This is a narrative review rather than a systematic review or empirical study. The abstract provides no quantitative metrics, search strategy details, or sample size.
Cited by
- supports Scientific studies searching for social and family correlates of male sexual orientation, such as an absent father or an overprotective mother, have failed to find reliable empirical support.