Scientists create lesbian mice: has the 'Gay Gene' been found?

[BlumiereBleck]

Called it! It is a gene

 

[Rarhnor]

Oh science...

Now do it on GlaDos.

 

[similar.squirrel]

I think geneticists have more worthwhile things to be doing. I'm sure sexuality goes beyond genetics in any case. As much as I believe in science as the potential saviour of our species, I think this research shouldn't be pursued. Or if they are intent on delving further into this, homosexuality should be encouraged. We're overpopulated enough as it is.

 

[Jovlo]

To me, all this experiment proves is that if you take something important froma female brain (genes, hormones, whatever) then it will start acting male. The same is true of the reverse. While still genetically female, their brains were saying 'I'm male, and this is what Males do.' I don't know any gay women who think that way.

Well we people are far more complicated than mice. We can think about ourselves, animals cannot (accoring to philosophers).
This one little gene only changes a very small part of the human psyche, to who you are attracted. This doesn't need to mean that if you're a lesbian that you're more man than woman. The same is true for men. I'm not straight myself, but when I tell people, jaws drop to the floor. I'm not at all effeminate.

I think homosexuality is partly genetic, partly environment, and partly personal choice.

As for the mice, this is interesting, but I'm not sure what they hope to achieve with this type of research. Why can't they work to kill cancer or something?

Well, they wanted to find out what that gene did. They had no idea. It could have been a cure for cancer, instead they made lesbian mice by accident. Now they know it doesn't cure cancer.

 

[MisterShine]

If a gay gene would be found, would you think people would be more acceptive towards not-straight people, or wouldn't that change a thing because nobody knows a thing about genetics?

Or would it mean that people who are gay would be viewed as genetically defective? Something to be stamped out once we've gotten down gene therapy? Will it be eliminated like other genetic disorders?

 

[Jovlo]

That leads to an interesting question: Is it ethical to try to 'cure' homosexuality if it were possible?
Or should we accept everyone as they are?

No, it isn't ethical. It's like trying to "cure" a dark skin tone: opressive, bigoted, and ultimately futile.

I agree, but think about it. Being gay is hard and confusing.
There has been a time that I would have been prepared to chew off a hand if that would make me straight.
That time has passed luckily, and I'm happy the way I am. I'm guessing though that many people would want to be 'cured', and that they would be willing to pay a lot so that pharmaceutical companies would be willing to invest in research for a cure.

Or would it mean that people who are gay would be viewed as genetically defective? Something to be stamped out once we've gotten down gene therapy? Will it be eliminated like other genetic disorders?

Now that is a scary thought. It would be possible, but I hope that's more something for a dystopian sci-fi movie.

 

[Ghhostface]

thats interesting!

 

[Kollega]

I agree, but think about it. Being gay is hard and confusing.
There has been a time that I would have been prepared to chew off a hand if that would make me straight.
That time has passed luckily, and I'm happy the way I am. I'm guessing though that many people would want to be 'cured', and that they would be willing to pay a lot so that pharmaceutical companies would be willing to invest in research for a cure.

Well, i've said that i'm not educated and cannot possibly understand all the complexities of this. I can see your point.

 

[Jovlo]

*snip*

Only if THEY want it. It's like anything else. If they don't want it, let them get rid of it. If they do, let them keep it. It's hard to make a comparison here, as I'm afraid I'll sound homophobic, which I am not (I'm not gay, but I don't mind gays). I guess I'll try, so please don't get offended people. It's kinda like balding or bad eyesight. You'd be able to keep it (some people look much better bald like Stone Cold Steve Austin, some don't), but you don't have to. Also, we can't alter genes... yet.

This is also interesting: Homosexuality isn't a choice, but if you follow this path, it could become one!
Won't this lead to people being even less acceptive?

 

[Becoming Insane]

Can they prove that it had nothing to do with the upbringing of the mice? Until then, I refuse to believe in a "gay gene".

I'm assuming you are anti-homosexuality, as if it were nurture, that would mean that the people morons saying that it's a choice are right.

That's uncalled for. HG131's question was posed in a neutral manner, not an inflammatory one.

OT: Unfortunately, I seem to have been ninja'd TWICE by Kollega, as my view seems to be the same as his/her first two posts in this thread.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

That leads to an interesting question: Is it ethical to try to 'cure' homosexuality if it were possible?
Or should we accept everyone as they are?

No, it isn't ethical. It's like trying to "cure" a dark skin tone: opressive, bigoted, and ultimately futile.

Or trying to cure heterosexuality. Let's face it, we're running out of planet here...

Although the white baby born to Nigerian parents was interesting. [http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=178835] Pity it's only in the Sun/Mail, so we can't be sure if it's correct.

 

[Circleseer]

If there's a gay-gene, there is also a straight-gene.
Preference for one gene or the other would be cultural, and since science should be above that, it all doesn't matter.

 

[tomtom94]

Can they prove that it had nothing to do with the upbringing of the mice? Until then, I refuse to believe in a "gay gene".

I'm assuming you are anti-homosexuality, as if it were nurture, that would mean that the people morons saying that it's a choice are right.

I'm alright with gays, I just believe that it's not genetic. In the same way that being a psychopath is often influenced by upbringing, but being generally a very angry person is genetic.

Oh, and by the by, there's a reason that many public schoolboys come out later in life.

 

[Vhite]

Now we can heal fags instead of burning them!

Even if it will be possible to change ones sexual orientation I dont think that someone would wanted it.

 

[Kollega]

No, it isn't ethical. It's like trying to "cure" a dark skin tone: opressive, bigoted, and ultimately futile.

Or trying to cure heterosexuality. Let's face it, we're running out of planet here...

That, good sire, is the funniest thing i've seen today. Well played!