How to tell if someone is gay? By looking at their earwax, these scientists claim
Earwax, and the odour contained therein can reveal a plethora of information about individuals, including sexual orientation and gender, researchers have claimed.
Scientists from the Monell Center have said that, similar to other body odours, earwax tests could be developed in order to identify people and ascertain information about them.
Earwax, which is scientifically known as cerumen, is secreted by a combination of sweat and fatty material from sebaceous and sweat glands.
There are two types – a yellow-brown wax or dry white wax.
“Our previous research has shown that underarm odors can convey a great deal of information about an individual, including personal identity, gender, sexual orientation, and health status”, said study senior author George Preti, an organic chemist at Monell.
“We think it possible that earwax may contain similar information,” he went on.
According to reports, the team of researchers used organic chemistry to identify chemical compounds which produce distinctive odours in human earwax.
For example the study claimed that the amounts of certain compounds varied between earwax of Caucasians and East Asians.
The researchers said they do further research into identifiers contained in earwax.
