Poll: Is homosexuality genetic?

[JokerCrowe]

Do you think there is a "Gay-gene"? I'm only asking because I'm curious, and there seems to be a difference of oppinion on this matter: http://www.narth.com/docs/istheregene.html and: http://www.leaderu.com/jhs/satinover.html
And I thought: "the Escapists might be able to discuss it, without it turning into a flamewar"...
So, what do you think?

EDIT: I'm not saying that it is a concious choice, the debate seems to be whether it's your upbringing or your genes...

 

[XJ-0461]

Well it sure ain't a conscious fucking choice. I didn't wake up one morning and decide "fuck it, I dig chicks". No I just DO. Have no idea if it's genetic. Something when you're a kid maybe. Stuff that happens then affect you forever

Thank you! Someone else has realised this too!

This has always been my problem with people who say that being gay is a choice. Surely that implies that being straight is a choice, but that isn't either. I've only ever found my self attracted to girls, but never choosing to be attracted to them.

 

[FeetOfClay]

Personally, I dont really know, but its probably just like everything else, a bit of both.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

Well it sure ain't a conscious fucking choice. I didn't wake up one morning and decide "fuck it, I dig chicks". No I just DO. Have no idea if it's genetic. Something when you're a kid maybe. Stuff that happens then affect you forever

Thank you! Someone else has realised this too!

This has always been my problem with people who say that being gay is a choice. Surely that implies that being straight is a choice, but that isn't either. I've only ever found my self attracted to girls, but never choosing to be attracted to them.

You can't control when you're gettin' your freak on after all.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

Does it matter? I know that's not exactly the point of the thread, but if a gay gene is found, it will raise one massive question. If this is a genetic issue, is it a genetic defect in the same way that Down's syndrome is a genetic deficiency?

This is the real problem with pushing too far on this issue. I actively hope they don't find a 'gay' gene, because the ramifications could be horrific.

 

[Macflash]

I think its genetic because it's definitely not a conscious choice, and it's probably not caused by childhood experiences, because I know kids that were raised by gay parents and aren't gay themseleves.

 

[k3v1n]

I'm not sure if it's a "gene" but i'm certainly sure that being a homosexual is, by no means, a matter of choice

 

[Phototoxin]

there is a gene called GAY1 (i sh*t you not) which is more commonly occuring in homosexual men. Also the thing about the ring finger and index finger seems to be true which may imply a genetic link

 

[Nickolai77]

I think the generally accepted theory amoung scientists is that homosexuality occurs when a developing embroyo recives the incorrect hormones (so for instance a female embryo getting male testostorome) which would explain why male homosexuals can ( but not always) have femine traits, and why lesbians are (again, not always) sterotypically a bit butch.

 

[oppp7]

I really doubt there is. I view it as one of those things that's nurture, not nature.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

It's pretty obvious homosexuality is not a choice so I'm going to go with genetic here.

 

[Souplex]

I always had a vague untested theory that it was some sort of natural response to overpopulation.

 

[quiet_samurai]

Not really so much a gene as it is a chemical fluctuation in the brain. At least that's what I have been told. But I totally disagree when people say it's a choice, if it was it would be nonexhistant because it totally goes against primal biological responses.

 

[Hobo Joe]

I'm not sure what the actual cause is but it's certainly no choice of the person in question in my view.