You Don't Need to Be a Hairdresser to Know Which Way the Hair Whorls

DNA barometer readings for your sexuality.

Warning: Reading this blog entry may compel you to grab two mirrors and look at the back of your head.

Phew. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who peppers her everyday language with phrases like "hair whorl direction" or "attached earlobes" or "recessive alleles." But I digress.

Today's Chicago Tribune features an article about a recent scientific survey held in the Windy City called the Molecular Genetic Study of Sexual Orientation, which surveyed the DNA samples 1,000 sets of gay brothers to find genetic commonalities.

"Researchers also have found physical traits that correlate with homosexuality, from the relative size of certain brain areas associated with sexual behavior to seemingly irrelevant characteristics like hair whorl direction and finger-length ratios." There's that phrase again.

A June, 2007 blog entry from Mindhacks.com explores these very same topics and features links to other articles on the subject of the "nurture vs. nature" debate.

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KEYWORDS FOR THIS POST

Sexuality, whorl, DNA, gay gene, gay brothers, Chicago study, Molecular Genetic Study of Sexual Orientation, nature vs. nurture

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