Poll: Is homosexuality genetic?

[ma55ter_fett]

No idea, If it is I don't have it.

I like the ladies...

 

[Alias42]

Well as homosexuality prevents reproduction which is one of our strongest impulses right up there with eat food and breath air I highly doubt we have a genetic trait that leads to our extinction.

Also as homosexuals rarely have off spring i fail to see how this genetic trait wouldn't of been removed from the gene pool the basic principle of evolution is "survival of the fittest" only genetic mutations that grant advantages over others without them continue in the genetic line and as homosexuality practically prevents children i fail to see how such a trait could of survived the evolutionary path.

Its not genetic and its not predetermined, Its to do with psychological effects of your up bringing, young children are very psychologically vulnerable that's why scientists recommend reading to young children and playing them classical music to improve their intelligence. Im not saying its a choice but its certainly nurture rather than nature.

I see your point in this. However, there is something called recessive genes. This is also the reason why some genetic diseases that kill you before the age of reproduction (like Progeria) sadly are not extinct yet.

Also, saying that people can be "brought up" gay is pretty touchy. If you have seen the movie "Milk", you might know that there was a time when gay teachers were fired as their parents were afraid they would indoctrinate their children. As the film beautifully counters that: "If that were the case, there would be a whole lot more nuns".

 

[manaman]

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.

That is kinda missing the point. When they talk about environment they don't mean that you see gay, you do gay. That would be absurd.

They are talking about an irregular childhood, without the proper parenting, sexual abuse, and the like. I don't like that route cause not only does it imply that gay is a mental illness, it's a lot like what they say serial killers and rapists childhoods where like, but to a lesser degree.

That said I think a gay couple is perfectly capable of providing a loving, nurturing home to a child.

 

[JokerCrowe]

I don't know but a poll certainly isn't going to help anyone determine it.
Only scientific research can do that.

I know.. but I just wanted to know YOUR oppinion on it. most Escapists seem very intelligent and fun to discuss things with (Ok.. ALL Escapists really)

 

[Captain Blackout]

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...

I read the part in bold and laughed my balls off. I've seen "gay" threads go down in the purifying destruction of hellfire. Left the gays alone, but everybody else....

Anyway, here's the deal: If there isn't a genetic component (gay gene is really bad way of putting it, since it could be a host of genetic variations) then somehow something else within us conspires to form our sexuality. Considering that genetics and sexuality go hand-in-hand, I find that impossible. Yes, gay/bi-sexual/straight/etc. has a genetic component. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

 

[RanD00M]

I don´t think so.But I'll need more facts before I can diced.

 

[gutterball17]

no. one of my brother in laws is about as gay as you can get, and the other two are completely straight.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Sexuality is usually determined by the image present in your senses when your reproductive organs start feeding hormones into your system for the first time. That's at about four I believe. Your sexuality then depends on whether that is reinforced or pushed away by your social choices.

Otherwise, anyone with the "gay gene" would have a camp voice, and that simply doesn't happen in all cases.

 

[Nuke_em_05]

Don't care. I'll add a "don't know" to that as well.

Do you expect members of a gaming forum, with a majority of the population in the age range of early high school to ending college, to have better insight than the genetic experts who are still figuring it out?

What relevance does it have? It won't change opinions either way. People who are opposed to homosexuality will continue to be opposed to it. Actually, if it ends up being genetic; that will open a nasty can of worms as some of those opposed will classify it as a genetic "disorder", to be "cured".

From my layman's perspective, genetics might play a role. However, I don't see how it is important aside from just learning more about genetics.

 

[kelsyk]

I don't have enough information to say really one way or another.

My personal onpinion though is that genetics play at least some factor. The same way that certain genes pre-dispose use to certain conditions, I believe that their are genes that can pre-dispose someone to being homosexual. But just having the gene doesn't guaranty you will be homesexual, just as not having the gene won't guaranty that you will be straight.

I don't think it is some reaction of over-population, because it is still observed in species that are endangered or on the brink of extinction.

As for the twins arguement, I have a pair of cousins (female) that are identical twins and last I heard one was dating another girl and the other is dating a guy. Even so genetics could play some role if they only pre-dispose you to being homsexual.

 

[ohellynot]

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

I agree that it is not a choice, but it doesn't seem like a gene.
In the same way that if you get hit by a car and become paralysed. It wasn't a choice (probably) but it sure as hell wasn't genetic. It's just life and the cards you get delt in it.

 

[JaymesFogarty]

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

That sounds fascinating, and plausible too.
On subject, homosexuality is definitely not a choice. You can't choose who you're attracted to, that's just how you are. Is being a heterosexual genetic? Answer that, and you'll probably find the answer to this question. Note: If being homosexual was a choice, why would they choose to be gay? Gays are constantly receiving hate and abuse from countries all over the world, unjustly and unfairly.

 

[Rooster893]

Maybe GOD or mother nature is making people gay so that the earth will not get overcrowded!

*Chuckles* Good one.


OT: I don't think that it is genetic, i need more facts before deciding, that's what i voted.

 

[Nemu]

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.

That's pretty much it.

My sister and I were raised essentially the exact same way (I was raised a little stricter, but it was by no means earth-shatteringly different), and both went to the same school, played sports, etc, however by age 10, I knew I wanted to impress the girls more than I wanted to giggle at boys. *shrug*

Wait, wait, slightly confused. I'm rather slow so bear with me. You're a lesbian? Bisexual? You only refer to yourself as "I" so I don't know if you're inclining you're a girl Sorry, as I said I'm slow

As indicated in my profile, I'm a girl.

So yes, lesbian.

 

[Rhade]

If all the finest geneticists, psychologists, and neuroscientists in the world can't answer this question, why should my completely unqualified, unsubstantiated opinion count for even a grain of salt?

Yeah, I feel pretty much the same about my own opinion, and just about everyone else's.

But despite that I'll say this much. If you know someone who's gay and relatively happy about it, chances are they don't care too much what the precise cause of this differentiation is, or what random-ass apparently-professional people think causes it either. Assuming they're at some kind of peace with themselves they're just happy being gay in general.

This is about how I feel, myself, being gay. Well, actually I feel much more toward the "oh man, I'm so very glad I don't have to be straight" end of things, but that's much more related to a small army of reasons why it's nice to not be stuck in male heterosexual norms and less about anything being off or wrong with the standard orientation pre-programming.

Also, I very much don't buy a lot of the "more female minded" arguments and would point out despite what you see on TV and walking about, a fair number of us don't take on the lispy, limp-wristed, fashion-crazed, etc, etc, etc, traits. Many of us are just as, if not slightly more, male minded than the rest of our gender.

 

[JanatUrlich]

Yeah man, why would anyone make the conscious decision to be gay? I dunno if it's a gene, necessarily, but it's definitely not a choice and it's obviously something you're born with.

It can't be upbringing either, because devout Catholics or whatever can end up being gay.