Article: “Homosexual Activity Among Animals Stirs Debate.” https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2004/07/homosexual-animals-debate/
There is a large body of scientific research discussed in this National Geographic article about homosexuality behavior among animals. While this animal behavior is well-documented in the scientific community, some people interpret it in different ways.
Supporters of LGBT rights may use the research to support their views that if homosexual activity is fairly common in the animal world, then it supports the argument that LGBT people should not be discriminated against and should the exact same rights as everyone else. Some types of social conservatives may not accept the validity of the research or may argue that animal behavior should not be equated with human behavior.
An essay on May 2021 TOK essay Prescribed Title #1 must look at whether or not trust is always involved in accepting knowledge claims. Consider the role of trust in the following areas in this RLE:
- The role the scientific method plays in gaining trust in the research discussed in the article
- The specific methodology of one of the research projects on homosexual activity in the animal kingdom and the role trust plays in it
- The kind of trust involved in arguments that homosexual activity in the animal kingdom supports LGBT right
- The kind of trust held by some kinds of social conservatives who trust their own set of beliefs more than the kind of research discussed in the National Geographic article
- Trust in reporting done by organizations like National Geographic compared to trust in other types of reporting in the media