Is there a gay gene?

Question

Is there actual evidence for a genetic code for homosexuality? Or is it cultural wishful thinking? Because how on a scientific level does gay gentetic if they actually exist square with natural selection?

Answer 1

People always screw this one up. Let us get this one right: homosexuality is a complex behavioral trait that is not controlled by just one gene. There is evidence that homosexuality is highly hereditary. Please study genetics and understand what you are talking about before answering this one.

Update: I am reading the comments posted above me and am just shaking my head. How is it that so many of you are so certain on this matter when you obviously do not know the first thing about genetics? I see plenty of other fallacies as well

1. Genetics and "personal choice" are not opposites on a continuum; the fact that a trait has environmental input does not make it a "choice."

2. Only an ignorant person would say that people choose to be gay. Most people will testify that they never consciously chose their sexual orientation.

3. Natural selection does not weed out homosexuality because homosexuality is polygenic. Certain genes have other functions other than homosexuality and thus are not selected against.

I am an evolutionary biologist. I know what I am talking about.

Answer 2

There was research done several years ago that supposedly identified a gay gene in humans. As far as I know, that research has never been able to be duplicated in the lab. Thus, the question of a 'gay gene' is still being studied. My suspicion is that it will be discovered at some point. Homosexuality exists in hundreds of species. That is a well documented fact. So, if it occurs naturally in other species, it most likely will also occur in humans. One other point - - to all those oafs who claim homosexuality is a 'choice,' just ask yourself when, specifically, did you choose to be straight? Were you sitting at the kitchen table weighing both options and then chose heterosexuality because that worked best for you? It is a ridiculous question. We are INNATELY attracted to others of the same or opposite sex.

Answer 3

in the beginning, i could % to commend you on having an open concepts and thinking issues by your self. i've got self belief there's a gay gene...or a minimum of something out of someone's administration. i recognize I actually did not % to be gay; existence transforming into up could have been greater handy if I have been in the present day. and that i'm constructive (assuming you're in the present day) which you probably did not % to be in the present day the two. i'm constructive you purely basically went with what you have been involved wherein occurred to be somebody of the alternative intercourse. I particularly have additionally been instructed that being gay is a sin. I particularly have studied the bible deeply and could discover not something that without postpone says that being gay is a sin. i don't think of that God could have made me gay and suggested it replaced right into a sin. i've got self belief it particularly is something that guy has arise with, not God. Now I do have self belief that a gay person is in sin whilst they % to stay an excessively immoral and promiscuous. yet to be gay isn't a sin.

Answer 4

Many laymen now believe that homosexuality is part of who a person really is ­ from the moment of conception.


The "genetic and unchangeable" theory has been actively promoted by gay activists and the popular media. Is homosexuality really an inborn and normal variant of human nature?

No. There is no evidence that shows that homosexuality is simply "genetic." And none of the research claims there is. Only the press and certain researchers do, when speaking in sound bites to the public.

Answer 5

Hi!

Its just as normal, 'natural' to be homosexual, as heterosexual!!

I am amazed at some of the ignorance on here!

One of the answerer's 'decided' he was bisexual on a train, he then stated that homosexuals 'arent' born this way, because of his 'own' experience!
How narrow minded!!

I believe it is totally natural and that the gene exists!!

It has been proven to exist!!


Let me state something here!

There has been homosexuality, since man evolved from the great apes, indeed homosexuality is present in chimps and other apes!

So, consider this:

How many human beings have there been in the past?

MILLIONS!

Average 1 in 10 are gay!!


How many human beings are on this planet now?

Over 3 BILLION!

Average 1 in 10 are gay!


How many human beings will exist in the future?

BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS!!!

Average 1 in 10 are gay!


So, if homosexuality 'never' existed naturally, as a population dampener, all the homosexuals, which would equal to millions upon millions, would not be gay, they would be straight, making babies too!!!

Can you imagine what the world population would be today?

Do you think you would be still living as you do today, with a home of your own, enough space to breath, enough work available, enough food available, enough fresh water available?

NO!!!!


Can you imagine what the world population will be in the future, without 1 in 10, NOT making babies?

THATS MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS, IF NOT BILLIONS MORE!!!!!

Religious, get a grip!!!


I personally know gay people, who state they have 'always' known, since early childhood, that they were attracted to the same sex!

Homosexuality 'has' been put here for a reason, to be able to exist, to be able to form a union, with a fellow human being of the same sex, to feel, love and most importantly, 'not' to increase the population!!

ITS NATURAL!!!!

Answer 6

First of all ignoring the moral debate, this is a classic nature versus nurture debate. Are we the product of our genes or our environment? Is someone born gay or are they made gay?

To date research does point to a genetic influence/determinant for homosexuality. One such piece of "evidence" suggesting genetics is the brain structure the hypothalamus (specifically, the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the anterior commissure). The hypothalamus is the brain structure responsible for many autonomic body functions such as hunger, thirst, and sex. In gay men regions of the hypothalamus believed to be responsible for sex drive are larger (double in the case of the suprachiasmatic nucleus) in size to that of a heterosexual man and in the case of the third interstitial notch of the anterior hypothalamus, similar in size to that of women. This research (Swaab, Allen, and LeVay) suggests homosexual men have a similar sex drive/attraction as a woman. Also, since brain structures are developed as a result of genetics, not environment, these studies suggest a genetic cause.

One flaw in this research is that LeVays research was done post mortem on gay men that had died of AIDS and it is difficult to say whether it was the disease, the drugs, or genetics that caused the homosexuality.

There is additional research on twins and homosexuality and an interesting study done male birth order and homosexuality (the rate of male homosexuality increases with the more older brothers you have) and there are also theories on environmental causes of homosexuality, but they lack as much supporting evidence.

So, as stated in the beginning, evidence leans towards a genetic cause for homosexuality.

Answer 7

Gay is a learned behavior, just like some people like fat women and other prefer skinny one. Since they can not make children, their gene die with them if there is a gay gene...but I believe it is a learned trait like everything else.

Answer 8

No, and don't let the gays convince you otherwise! It's a choice to live that way and behave that way sexually! Just because you can stick your tongue or penis somewhere doesn't mean you should, and there's no way that a man's bunghole feels any better than a woman's business or that a woman's tongue or fist feels any better than a man, I'm sure. Being gay is like being in a "club", the membership requirements being that you have to have sex with members of the same gender. Purely disgusting! If people would use a little common sense it would be quite clear, really! Think about it- the only thing that separates homos from heteros is the type of sex they choose to have- there's no "gene" that causes you to choose what type of sex you want to have- it's a choice! It all boils down to self- gratification in whatever form is easiest to achieve (path of least resistance).

Answer 9

God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.
If they have tests to prove some hormone problem, OK, but most I know just are bored, or parents have had some influence.

Answer 10

Yes,it was published a few years ago that the gene comes from the mother.