Sexuality and gender play a profound role in shaping identity, but for much of human history how they are determined has remained obscure. How does sexual orientation develop? What is it? Can it be changed? What is the relationship between sexuality and gender? How do biology and culture interact to produce it? Why does homosexuality defy evolution’s dictate for reproduction? The long list of questions that has spanned centuries may finally be getting answers.

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The World Science Festival gathers great minds in science and the arts to produce live and digital content that allows a broad general audience to engage with scientific discoveries. Our mission is to cultivate a general public informed by science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future.

Original Program date: June 4, 2011
MODERATOR: Andrew Solomon
PARTICIPANTS: Meredith Chivers, Jim Pfaus, Paul Vasey, Marc Breedlove

Video Introduction. 00:00

Participant introductions. 03:22

Why did you choose to get involved in this field? 05:40

What are the scientific and philosophical shifts in sexual orientation? 14:36

Is sexuality predetermined? 20:20

The social shift of orientation. 25:50

How much does choice play into orientation? 30:12

Gender identity vs gender sexuality. 35:07

Predicting that your second son will be gay. 41:07

Experiments with female sexual response. 51:00

What is the science behind love? 57:18

Is human sexuality at all the same of other animals? 01:04:20

How does all the science come together on this subject? 01:15:40

Are women and men different? 01:21:50

Closing thoughts. 01:26:58

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