Final answer:
The data published in 'Sperm Wars' is deemed sketchy largely due to concerns over scientific validity and ethical considerations. The discussion around this topic often connects to the controversies generated by early sexual behavior research, such as the Kinsey reports, and attempts at eugenics, such as the high IQ sperm bank by Robert Klark Graham. These discussions highlight the delicate interplay between scientific inquiry and societal values.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Data published in Sperm Wars is considered sketchy due to a variety of reasons which include the scientific rigor of the studies, the validity of the research methodology, and ethical concerns. The term "Sperm Wars" does not relate to one specific study, but rather a concept in evolutionary biology that suggests there is competition between sperm from different males within the reproductive tract of a female. Critics have argued that some of the claims made in literature like Robin Baker's book 'Sperm Wars', are not fully supported by empirical evidence.
In 1948, when Alfred Kinsey released his comprehensive work on sexual behavior, it stirred controversy because it challenged social norms and publicized sensitive information about personal lives. This open conversation about human sexuality, though groundbreaking, also led to increased persecution of homosexuals and the labeling of non-heteronormative behavior as "deviant" during the Lavender Scare.
Eugenics, too, ties into discussions about 'desired' genetic traits, as evidenced by Robert Klark Graham's attempt to control human traits through selective sperm donation from men with high IQs in the 1980s. However, this endeavor did not resonate with the public and was eventually aborted in 1999. The skepticism around both the Kinsey reports and Graham's sperm bank reflects broader issues with how scientific data, particularly around human sexuality and reproduction, can be perceived when it intersects with social values and ethics.