G
GregoryPalamas
Guest
There is no evidence to my knowledge of a genetic origin at all. Offer some links please.
CDL
- Status
CDL
R
Riley259
Guest
I’ve also used this argument to prove that homosexuality is not strictly genetic. It makes sense…but of course, if you don’t buy into the general premise of evolution…
E
emily47017
Guest
there’s some really interesting research going on these days investigating the origins of homosexuality. researchers are looking at finger length ratios (click), birth order (click) and various other factors that may or may not indicate gayness. most of this research boils down to a growing theory that homosexuality is the result of uterine environment, and not genetics per-se. so the question is not “is there a gay gene” but rather “is homosexuality biologically determined.”
there was a really interesting article in new york magazine: the science of gaydar. it’s written by a gay man from a pro-gay perspective, so be warned.
i encourage gregory and others interested in learning more to visit pubmed. ahhh, a science nerd’s paradise!
a general note on evolutionary fitness: gay men and lesbians do reproduce and have always reproduced, either by being married to members of the opposite sex (attention ex-gays!) or by seeking a member of the opposite sex for the express purpose of making babies. this was true way before turkey basters and sperm banks…
there was a really interesting article in new york magazine: the science of gaydar. it’s written by a gay man from a pro-gay perspective, so be warned.
i encourage gregory and others interested in learning more to visit pubmed. ahhh, a science nerd’s paradise!
a general note on evolutionary fitness: gay men and lesbians do reproduce and have always reproduced, either by being married to members of the opposite sex (attention ex-gays!) or by seeking a member of the opposite sex for the express purpose of making babies. this was true way before turkey basters and sperm banks…
E
emily47017
Guest
pathia, your post breaks my heart. i’ve never been a big fan of NARTH either, but i had no idea they were doing these sorts of things.
you’re in my prayers…
G
goofyjim
Guest
The acts go against God’s design. The orientation does not. Why must we have such a fixation on painting those with the orientation as having a mental disorder? Not everyone is called to marriage and other than that they are quite capable of holding jobs and living their lives in peace with no need for treatment to keep going. If you ask me, I think we all have a disorder of some sort or another. Read through the DSM sometime and you will find you fit in some category in there.
M
mrteachersir
Guest
The DSM-VI, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, doesn’t consider homosexuality to be a mental disorder anylonger. However, the APA (American Psychological Association) lists homosexuality as a behavioral disorder. This makes complete sense considering the recognized viewpoints of homosexuality in the fields of psychology and sociology.
Evidence for a genetic cause for homosexuality is nonexistent. Many people have interpreted results of various studies to say homosexuality is genetic, but this is not true. Part of the Human Genome Project involved identifying the “Gay Gene”. When studies were done on this “Gay Gene”, it was found that a greater percentage of self-avowed heterosexuals had this gene than self-avowed homosexuals (the sociology text I use in class says this: Sociology: a Down-to-Earth Appraoch, 5th Edition (2000) by James Henslin). Researcher Simon LeVay, who studied the hormone differences between the brains of homosexual and heterosexual men (the one BryPGuy cited)noted: “It’s important to stress what I didn’t find. I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn’t show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work. Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain.”
LeVay’s findings go hand-in-hand (sort of) with Exercise Science findings about hormone excretion, as stated in the Second Edition of Essentials of Strength and Conditioning published by the NSCA. In general, with use (or disuse) the body adjusts certain hormone levels accordingly to conserve resources. Thus, when certain hormones are not used frequently enough, the hypothalmus and pituitary glands scale back production (to conserve the bodies resources)
Sociologists maintain that there is definitely an environmental aspect to homosexuality. In the textIn the famous “Twins Study” conducted by Byrd, et al, there was a homosexuality rate of 52% for genetically identical twins, 22% for non-identical twins, and 9% for non-twins. The report says this in respect to those findings: "“This study actually provides support for environmental factors. If homosexuality were in the genetic code, all of the identical twins would have been homosexual.”
My sociology text says, essentially that the basic consensus among sociologists is that environmental factors have a greater impact on homosexuality than biological or genetic factors.
Evidence for a genetic cause for homosexuality is nonexistent. Many people have interpreted results of various studies to say homosexuality is genetic, but this is not true. Part of the Human Genome Project involved identifying the “Gay Gene”. When studies were done on this “Gay Gene”, it was found that a greater percentage of self-avowed heterosexuals had this gene than self-avowed homosexuals (the sociology text I use in class says this: Sociology: a Down-to-Earth Appraoch, 5th Edition (2000) by James Henslin). Researcher Simon LeVay, who studied the hormone differences between the brains of homosexual and heterosexual men (the one BryPGuy cited)noted: “It’s important to stress what I didn’t find. I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn’t show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work. Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain.”
LeVay’s findings go hand-in-hand (sort of) with Exercise Science findings about hormone excretion, as stated in the Second Edition of Essentials of Strength and Conditioning published by the NSCA. In general, with use (or disuse) the body adjusts certain hormone levels accordingly to conserve resources. Thus, when certain hormones are not used frequently enough, the hypothalmus and pituitary glands scale back production (to conserve the bodies resources)
Sociologists maintain that there is definitely an environmental aspect to homosexuality. In the textIn the famous “Twins Study” conducted by Byrd, et al, there was a homosexuality rate of 52% for genetically identical twins, 22% for non-identical twins, and 9% for non-twins. The report says this in respect to those findings: "“This study actually provides support for environmental factors. If homosexuality were in the genetic code, all of the identical twins would have been homosexual.”
My sociology text says, essentially that the basic consensus among sociologists is that environmental factors have a greater impact on homosexuality than biological or genetic factors.
S
Sarabande
Guest
Well, I think up until the late 20th century and this century, many homosexuals would marry and procreate, since for centuries it was looked down upon by society, which might explain how it would be genetic, if that is true.
But in Greek and Roman times, I have read that it was a common practice for men and women to have homosexual relations usually with people beneath their stations like slaves or with children, both of whom were considered weak and submissive. Although in some of those societies, it was frowned upon to have sexual relations with a person of the same sex and same level. That was considered deviant - as if raping children was not devient.
So in that case it was more of a social/cultural thing.In other ways that it could be mental is how some male boys who were continuously raped by adult men end up being gay when they grow up. Was it because of their horriable experiences or were they already inclined to homosexual feelings? I don’t know and even the experts don’t know for sure.
Another thing I heard recently was that scientists have been studying a hormone (I believe that’s what they said. I don’t think it was a gene. It has been a few months since I heard about it) that is excreted by the mother during pregnancy. I can’t remember the name of the hormone. They’ve found in their studies that if they give the lab animal more of this hormone it will take on homosexual characteristics. It’s still very early in the research process, but if that is the case, there could be a way to stop the pregnant mother from excreting those extra hormones. Anyway, I’m not a scientist, so that’s all I know about it.
G
goofyjim
Guest
This doesn’t explain the prepubescent teen who already is feeling different than hsi peers. Not much chance of environment playing a part in his situation. I repeat, environment plays a part in the behavior but the predisposition of attraction is probably caused by prenatal factors.
B
BryPGuy89
Guest
My textbook provided sources and scientists names and all that it was beyond just speculation or opinion.
B
BryPGuy89
Guest
I cant beleive how many times this question is asked and answered then asked again, it is completely possible for the gene to be passed on becvause there are positive and recesive genes, omb, it makes me laugh when people ask this, it is as simple to explain as why black rabbits can have other colored one. That is if it is genetic.
E
estesbob
Guest
Since there are no peer reviewed studies showing a genetic link your texbook contained specualtion and opinion…
B
BryPGuy89
Guest
All reasons are for homosexuality, that is where facts always start in science, what’s your point?
C
Crumpy
Guest
the quote above is partial.
I think it is pretty straightforward. If it is genetic, then the individual has less culpability for being homosexual and for any behavior that is judged morally or legally illicit.
It’s true that scientists don’t have more than pet theories about its origins. It would really take a lot of careful research to separate out all the potential factors to prove how it comes about.
B
BryPGuy89
Guest
my textbook nor i said that homosexuality is genetic, i know there is no supportable answer and that all is speculation and guesses, with light scientific research looking for the answers.
N
neophyte
Guest
Exactly. It’s only been for the past 34 years, compared to the previous 6,000 years of recorded history during which virtually everyone knew that homosexuality is disordered.
G
goofyjim
Guest
The behavior is sinful. The orientation is not. Whether one wants to call it a disorder is up to the individual.
R
Riley259
Guest
If you’re talking about the LeVay study in 1991, then that’s been soundly disputed from alot of camps. There’s no firm evidence that genetics plays a part but if it does then it’s probably only a predisposition (ex., GID), not etched in stone. There’s far more evidence for psycho-social influences.There’s been studies that show that homosexual men’s cerebellum’s resemble that of women (they are smaller), and that homosexual womens resemble mens (larger). It is unknown whether this is genetic or it has some origin in an abnormal hormonal balance during development… Its obviouse that homosexual people don’t ‘choose’ their desires, sure they choose their actions, but there’s no way that anyway ‘heterosexual’ man could choose to be attracted to other men- the thought of it is just so disgusting.
G
goofyjim
Guest
The psycho-social influences are on the behavior itself. There is probably a biological cause for the predisposition of same gender attraction.
E
estesbob
Guest
All are peoples “opinion” of what causes SSA. Absent Scientific proof it is all opinion and specualation.
- Status