Neurotransmitter alters sexual preference?

This interesting study of serotonin in mice may change our knowledge of sexual preference in animals. Male mice in the study were found to have a decreased preference for females when they had low levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. It would be a stretch, however, to attempt to apply this to humans since humans are obviously much different than mice on a physiological level. But attempting to explain homosexuality by any means other than through science would also be fantastically foolish. We also tread in dangerous waters when talking about sexual preference at all in animals because they, more or less, mate like we do, with certain hard-wired components that determine to whom they are and are not attracted. I don’t prefer females over men, and I don’t choose women as a conscious decision. I don’t choose woman at all, actually. I don’t really have choice in the matter. Sexually speaking, I do not have free will. Neither do mice or other humans. It’s innate. So, I use “preference” with caution and for lack of a better word.

According to Elaine Hull, with Florida State University,

In terms of possible applications to humans, this may have implications for bisexual behavior. … Much more information is needed to specify the brain areas involved, and possible developmental regulation of serotonin in those areas, before we can jump to the conclusion that serotonin is the factor that inhibits male-to-male attraction.

It would be even more of a stretch to say that we could somehow “cure” humans of homosexuality by pumping them with more serotonin. We already know that some pastors and churches and even psychiatrists have offered programs to “treat” homosexuality through therapy, prayer, biblical studies and the like. This is absurd, of course, since, it’s not a disease that needs to be treated, no more than heterosexuality needs treated. The serotonin study, if it does nothing else, at least puts the focus squarely back on science with regard to this issue and reminds us of two things: first, as I have said, that homosexuality is not a choice anymore than being straight is a choice, and second, like everything else that is still unknown about life on this planet, a scientific explanation about homosexuality, whether based in genetics, brain physiology, hormone levels or something else, will be the better and more fulfilling answer every single time.