The new genetics of sexuality

Alexander Borsa*, Miriam Miyagi, Kelsey Ichikawa, Kai De Jesus, Kai Jillson, Marion Boulicault, Sarah S. Richardson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

In 2019 a “genetic app” titled “How Gay Are You?” was published on GenePlaza (Maxmen 2019), immediately following the publication of a headline-making genetics study on same-sex sexual behavior (Ganna et al. 2019; Belluck 2019). In response to widespread outrage, the app was quickly discontinued (Bellenson 2019). But, rather than a rogue misapplication of responsible science—as the study's authors and others decried it—this debacle is emblematic of the pitfalls inherent in the new era of sexual genetics. In this essay we introduce the central methods, concepts, and key terms in the field of sociogenomics and related genetic sciences. We then review high-profile claims from this field that posit genetic theories of gender and sexuality, or that analyze gender and sexuality as variables in the characterization of brain, psychiatric, and medical conditions. Last, we characterize the conceptual, methodological, social, and ethical questions opened by this new frontier for an interdisciplinary audience, emphasizing the gap between the sociogenomic imaginary and what the data can and do currently show. Our goal is to build on existing critical perspectives (Clare, Grzanka, and Wuest 2023) by translating and contextualizing highly technical developments in the new era of genetics research and to invite scholars to engage with the issues it raises.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)119-140
Number of pages22
JournalGLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies
Volume30
Issue number1
Early online date1 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

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