I recently wrote a book on the biological search for the origins of homosexuality. In its final chapter, I described some rather amazing work being done at two biotech companies: The first is trying to manufacture a computer chip out of human DNA to tell you exactly what genes you have, while the second is creating artificial viruses that can send new genetic material into your cells. The chapter is titled “How Genetic Surgery Can Change Homosexuality to Heterosexuality,” and the other week I received the following letter about it from a 38-year-old lawyer.

“Do you know of any research institutions that are currently studying the possibility of converting homosexual men to heterosexuality?” the lawyer asked. “I would be very interested in making such a change. I am gay, and for personal reasons would like not to be. My thoughts on this don’t come from a religious perspective, and I don’t believe homosexuality is something to be ashamed of. I have gay friends, and I have been out to my family for 18 years. I’m happy in many aspects of my life, but for a variety of reasons homosexuality is not for me. . . . I never entertained the hope of changing since everything I have read about changing through traditional psychotherapy suggests the chances are slim to none. I’ve always experienced my homosexuality as immutable — something deeply a part of me. But your book was the first thing I’ve read which gave me hope. . . .