You are applying for an NIH grant on the genetics of
homosexuality. You plan to collect DNA samples from 1,000 male homosexuals and
1,000 male heterosexuals, controlling for education, income, race, ethnicity,
and other environmental factors. Your goal is to identify genetic variants
associated with homosexuality.
• What are the potential social and ethical implications of
discovering genetic variants associated with homosexuality?
• How should you deal with those implications?
• Should the NIH consider these implications when it decides
whether to fund this study?
• Should an IRB consider them when it decides whether to
approve it?
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