Poll: Is homosexuality genetic?
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The gene can be recessive in straight people you knowTemplar9 said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6923577.stmMarq said:
From an objective standpoint I really couldn't say, I've no background or education in the required material to make a rational decision. However, whether its genetics, choice, or upbringing, homosexuals are people like me or you, deserving of the same respect and rights of all men/women. I guess what I'm saying is the why isn't as important as the what, in respects to what we do.
If there are identical twins with one heterosexual twin and one homosexual twin it is not possible that it is caused by genes. So, are there identical twins with different sexual manners?
Not sure. I hastily voted yes before thinking it through, but I doubt it's that black and white.
I mean, maybe I'm wrong, but homosexuality is nothing more than getting the emotional and hormonal reaction to people of your own gender that heterosexual people get from the opposite.
Do people inherit things like a short temper? Or other emotional stimuli? Short tempers and the likes are something you get via your upbringing I'd say (But I wouldn't be too surprised if that's an incorrect statement), and in saying that, I can't think of any other emotion based personality traits that are purely genetic.
So actually, I'd put money on it not being genetic at all.
[/half thought out argument]
I mean, maybe I'm wrong, but homosexuality is nothing more than getting the emotional and hormonal reaction to people of your own gender that heterosexual people get from the opposite.
Do people inherit things like a short temper? Or other emotional stimuli? Short tempers and the likes are something you get via your upbringing I'd say (But I wouldn't be too surprised if that's an incorrect statement), and in saying that, I can't think of any other emotion based personality traits that are purely genetic.
So actually, I'd put money on it not being genetic at all.
[/half thought out argument]
It's not genetic, but rather caused by a fusion of chemicals in an embryo.
For example, it has been noted that homosexual males have a more female-like brain (in terms of structure - something to do with the cross-linking in the central zone - can't remember the exact science).
This would not be caused by genetics, but by the influence of hormones within the womb - a balance which is easily affected by stress, diet and so forth. Additionally (as many cases of homosexuality only become prevalent during puberty) it can be caused by a hormonal balance within the body of a growing male/female. The endocrine system is very complex, but it is very rarely controlled by genetics.
For example infertility amongst males is increasing because of a chemical in the plastic used for water bottles. If the bottle warms (say...near a radiator or in the sun) then it leeches a chemical into the water, a chemical which has the same effect as oestrogen on the human body.
Also, if sexuality was genetic then I'd presume it would be linked to similar species that have very similar genetic structures - so it would be isolated to various Primates for example. However homosexuality has been noted in large populations of animals such as deer, dolphins and a whole host of non-mammalian species as well. Species with only the most minimal genetic link with each other. Since this is more common in larger populations, I think it supports the theory that it is a natural response to over-population. Also the homosexual individuals within a species offer a vital role to the strength of the species, even if they are not reproducing themselves (as animals tend to be bisexual rather than homosexual given that they are more driven by the instinct to breed than humans are); of raising orphaned young, protecting the herd from predators and so forth.
In short, I do not think there is a "gay gene". However I do not believe homosexuality is a choice, but rather is *indirectly* controlled by genetics (those in control of hormone-producing glands) and chemical imbalances at various stages of a persons early life.
For example, it has been noted that homosexual males have a more female-like brain (in terms of structure - something to do with the cross-linking in the central zone - can't remember the exact science).
This would not be caused by genetics, but by the influence of hormones within the womb - a balance which is easily affected by stress, diet and so forth. Additionally (as many cases of homosexuality only become prevalent during puberty) it can be caused by a hormonal balance within the body of a growing male/female. The endocrine system is very complex, but it is very rarely controlled by genetics.
For example infertility amongst males is increasing because of a chemical in the plastic used for water bottles. If the bottle warms (say...near a radiator or in the sun) then it leeches a chemical into the water, a chemical which has the same effect as oestrogen on the human body.
Also, if sexuality was genetic then I'd presume it would be linked to similar species that have very similar genetic structures - so it would be isolated to various Primates for example. However homosexuality has been noted in large populations of animals such as deer, dolphins and a whole host of non-mammalian species as well. Species with only the most minimal genetic link with each other. Since this is more common in larger populations, I think it supports the theory that it is a natural response to over-population. Also the homosexual individuals within a species offer a vital role to the strength of the species, even if they are not reproducing themselves (as animals tend to be bisexual rather than homosexual given that they are more driven by the instinct to breed than humans are); of raising orphaned young, protecting the herd from predators and so forth.
In short, I do not think there is a "gay gene". However I do not believe homosexuality is a choice, but rather is *indirectly* controlled by genetics (those in control of hormone-producing glands) and chemical imbalances at various stages of a persons early life.
I personally think it's partly childhood incidents, a very small part choice, but overall, mostly genetic.
I'm no expert though, so take this with a grain of salt.
I'm no expert though, so take this with a grain of salt.
I do not believe that homosexuality is hereditary or in one's genes. For instance I can swing both ways (I choose not to but I can) despite the fact that there isn't a homosexual in my immediate family. I believe that homosexuality is nurtured, not nature. But those are my opinions with zero hard facts behind them so you can take what I said or leave it.
Not necessarily genetic but its deffinitely either that or a pre determined personality quality. It isn't a choice at any rate.
i dont either, i do it every day!Foggy_Fishburne said:
EDIT:
i have deleted my response in exchange for this
Meemaimoh said:
Hey, I'm gay and I have three priests in the family. Go figure.
That being said, yes it is genetic, but the genetics of it are complicated.
First of all, homosexuality comes in different 'flavours' from slightly bisexual to as gay as can be (wiki the Kinsey scale).
This means there must be not one gene, but several that cause homosexuality.
It's like your hight: the more 'tall' genes you inherit the taller you are, but there isn't just one gene that will make you tall.
That and even if you have the genes to be gay, those genes might not come to expression.
Studies have shown that whether or not these genes are expressed depends on the amount of testosterone you had in your mothers womb at the time your hypothalamus was formed. This doesn't depend on your genes, but on those of your mother.
In the end, you have to be really 'unlucky' to be gay. It's not a coincidence that it's quite rare.
They are straight, have kids and can still have gay kids.
There are theories that women carrying the gay genes are actually more fertile than women who don't.
This also helps keeping those genes in the population.
These two things explain why gay people don't go extinct, even if they don't reproduce.
That being said, yes it is genetic, but the genetics of it are complicated.
First of all, homosexuality comes in different 'flavours' from slightly bisexual to as gay as can be (wiki the Kinsey scale).
This means there must be not one gene, but several that cause homosexuality.
It's like your hight: the more 'tall' genes you inherit the taller you are, but there isn't just one gene that will make you tall.
That and even if you have the genes to be gay, those genes might not come to expression.
Studies have shown that whether or not these genes are expressed depends on the amount of testosterone you had in your mothers womb at the time your hypothalamus was formed. This doesn't depend on your genes, but on those of your mother.
In the end, you have to be really 'unlucky' to be gay. It's not a coincidence that it's quite rare.
Templar9 said:
Lots of people carry at least some gay genes, without them ever coming to expression.LimaBravo said:
They are straight, have kids and can still have gay kids.
There are theories that women carrying the gay genes are actually more fertile than women who don't.
This also helps keeping those genes in the population.
These two things explain why gay people don't go extinct, even if they don't reproduce.
If it was, woundn`t there be a certain prevelence of it among a specific population.
By that I mean, a place where the gene is concentrated.
I do not think so though. The homosexual gene theory has one major flaw...gay couples cannot have `biological` children so there is now way to pass it on.
Thus gay cannot breed gay because gay couples are unable to breed...in priciple anyway, the actual reality of this might be different.
By that I mean, a place where the gene is concentrated.
I do not think so though. The homosexual gene theory has one major flaw...gay couples cannot have `biological` children so there is now way to pass it on.
Thus gay cannot breed gay because gay couples are unable to breed...in priciple anyway, the actual reality of this might be different.