TESTOSTERONE UPDATE

My own levels were rising this morning, thanks to Amazon.com. But the evidence for its significance is growing daily. The BBC this morning reports that University of Liverpool scientists have found a correlation between lengthy ring fingers in men and sports ability. If a man’s ring finger is longer than his index finger, he’s likely to be gifted at sports. Why? Dr John Manning, from the School of Biological Sciences, explains: “There is evidence that our fingers tell us how much of the male hormone testosterone we have been exposed to before birth. It is known that men with long ring fingers compared with their index fingers are highly masculined before birth. Early exposure to testosterone is important in males for the formation of the heart and determining ability in spatial judgment.” Fascinating. Part of the feminist assault on science has included an attempt to deny any profound natural or biological differences between men and women – or between men and men in respect to varying testosterone levels. Data is slowly reversing the p.c. onslaught. My cover essay for the New York Times Magazine last year on testosterone, “The He Hormone,” was pilloried by the usual suspects. But I’m proud to say it has been selected for inclusion in next year’s “Best American Science Writing 2001,” edited by Timothy Ferris. The truth is out there. If only we weren’t so afraid of it.