Please no rhetoric about the morality of homosexuality...I only want to know what the latest scientific thought is on the issue of a gay gene and whether or not any progress is being made in identifying such a thing.
2007-06-15 22:15:57 · 11 answers · asked by xandercycloptic 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
There is no single (or multiple) genes identified as being linked to homosexuality, but there have been several credible scientific studies that have shown a trend that supports there is some kind of inheritable factor, including a few that have found that homosexuality most often follows the maternal line rather than the paternal.
Another interesting study HAS found a homosexuality gene in fruit flies. This is an important finding because humans and flies have many neurological and reproductive genes in common.
2007-06-16 03:33:13 · answer #1 · answered by Take A Test! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.
The research work suggesting a so-called ‘gay gene’ is now regarded as suspect by just about everyone. But when it was fashionable, homosexual tendencies were regarded as hard-wired into our DNA.1 In our evolutionized culture, this meant that an evolutionary explanation for homosexuality had to be sought, too.
Finding one was a real brain-teaser — perverting the reproductive act is hardly likely to get your genes passed on. But never underestimate the ingenious ways in which reality can be moulded to fit a world-view. Someone soon postulated that in caveman days, having homosexual uncles meant that there were more unattached adults around to help grandparents raise the kids while Dad was off wrestling sabre-toothed tigers with the ‘regular guys’. Thus, the genes in that whole group were more likely to get passed on, including any ‘homosexual genes’ carried by non-homosexual relatives.
http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/249
2007-06-16 12:51:19 · answer #2 · answered by a Real Truthseeker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is some basic work done on this with fruit flies at various universities.
The researchers did produce a gene modified strain which exhibited indifference to the female flies and congregated together all of male sex.
This was a regular scientific research though done on a very different species. Whether this can be extended to humans is a different question.
2007-06-16 10:59:25 · answer #3 · answered by A.V.R. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. There was an attempt by some researchers in 1993. They even published a paper. Why it got published is beyond me. But, it was quickly proved wrong and good research proved their was no "gay" gene.
Remember, gayness is a behavior. A person chooses to be homosexual. Gay people don't come from gay parents. Unless gay parents are forcing their adopted children to be gay. Therefore there is NO heredity line. It would be like having a gene for religion. But, religion is not passed on genetically either. Accepting a religion is a choice. You choose to be a Christan and you choose which church you attend.
There continues to be genetic research in to "sexual orientation". In other words, genes that may have an effect on behavior.
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20050128/is-there-gay-gene
I personally think they are wasting a lot of money and time doing something that's not really all that important. I would much rather see these folks doing research on the genetic links to cancer or Alzheimer's.
2007-06-16 09:33:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
So far, nor gay gene has been found. The most current studies seem to indicate that conditions 'in utero' of the devoloping fetus (some say maternal antibodies, some say the hormonal mix in the womb) may produce homosexuality.
2007-06-16 07:18:24 · answer #5 · answered by 13th Floor 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A good understanding of the issue will require you to do a fair amount of reading - starting with some basic human biology textbooks to get the terminology in, and moving on maybe to scholarly articles like this one: http://www.tiem.utk.edu/~gavrila/PAPS/h.pdf
Seeing that you're posting this on yahoo answers, however, you're probably looking to spend your time with other things - in which case I think the short answer to your question is that there is evidence for there being a genetic component to homosexuality.
Edit: in one sense, homosexuality is always a choice - just like heterosexuality is, because you can choose whether or not you have sex.
In another sense, homosexuality is just the sexual attraction towards people of the same sex (that is, not just behavior) - and it's much more problematic to say that one has a choice in who one feels attracted to.
2007-06-16 05:30:42 · answer #6 · answered by Bub B 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
there is no gay gene just that is what you enjoy like is there a gene for liking the TV show Family guy no!
2007-06-16 13:10:08 · answer #7 · answered by Micky D 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as I'm aware there has been no true scientific study that has conclusively found a "Gay" gene. Honestly, why are you even interested?
2007-06-16 05:25:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No and like all behaviors it isn't likely that there's a single gene that determines sexual orientation.
2007-06-16 05:27:00 · answer #9 · answered by Dastardly 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i knew one in school a long time ago
2007-06-16 05:28:17 · answer #10 · answered by punk bitch piece of shit 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋