If homosexuality is genetic, then discrimination against homosexuals would be "as morally impermissible" as racism and sexism, High Court Justice Michael Kirby told Catholic bishops. (Australia: September 15, 1997).

Justice Kirby told the bioethics advisory panel of the bishops conference it looked "increasingly likely" that sexual orientation would be shown to be genetic - like race, skin clour or gender.

His paper considered the implications of the Human Genome Project.

"If sexual orientation is part of the genome of our species, a serious moral question is plainly presented. By what right can we say that it is not part of nature's - or God's - great purpose? That purpose, as the Church has taught, is not always clear to us, mere mortals."

"If it were determined that sexual orientation is indeed a genetic phenomenon - and thus beyond the the 'wicked' choosing of a 'wilful' individual - prima facie to discriminate upon that basis would be as morally impermissible, and even repugnant, as to discriminate upon any other genetic basis."

"It might even be said that this is one genetic condition that should be eliminated in whatever way possible"

"Indeed, the (Emeritus) Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth . . . (Lord Jakobovits), controversially, suggested that this should be done to get rid of homosexuals, thereby provoking cries of outrage from Holocaust survivors and other Jewish intellectuals"

Justic Kirby serves on the ethics committee of the Human Genome Organisation.

more information from Chandler Burr, author of "A Separate Creation: The Search for the Biological Origins of Sexual Orientation"

more information from the American Psychological Association

more information from the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance

more information from the Dr. Gregory Herek, a noted authority on antigay prejudice (or homophobia), hate crimes, and AIDS stigma � and his Northern California Community Research Group at the University of California, Davis. It provides factual information about sexual orientation and HIV/AIDS to promote the use of scientific knowledge for education and enlightened public policy.

send email to: [email protected]