the gay gene

There's an established consensus that sexuality is polygenetic, meaning there can be no "gay gene" per se.

 

Part of it is also environmental, and many genes contribute to sexual orientation. However, if there were one gene, I would like it to be discovered

 

Meta-analytical studies comparing the likelihood of having other gay family members, dependent on whether the subject in question is LGB or not, shows us that there is likely a strong genetic component to homosexuality. It's certainly not the whole key to the puzzle - the rest (depending on one's theory) potentially consisting of hormone exposure in the womb and/or random environmental factors (which have no compelling research to back them ).



I'm inclined to believe it's just an interaction between genetic expression and organizational effects determined by hormone exposure in the womb. But that's just me...



Edit: Sure, I'd like the full mechanism to be discovered, if only out of a personal interest in human nature. I think we're a good ways away from that though.

 

Nah. I like to think i chose to be this way.

 

No, because if there was a hypothetical gay gene, you know the next step would be screenings and corrections movements. Eugenics, in an essence.

 

Wait! Steve712 said, 'There's an established consensus that sexuality is polygenetic, meaning there can be no "gay gene" per se.' Would you mind giving your sources for that B.S.? Geneticists are agreeing that it probably is 100% genetic and are trying to learn more.

As for me, I feel that it is totally genetic, in the same way it is totally genetic how we handle it. I want to see the truth discovered, that's all. One thing I know is that it isn't a damned choice! Think about that: would you be stupid enough to be born perfectly straight and for no reason one day you wake up and holler I WANNA BE GAAAAAAY!!!

There's enough proof right there. It's genetic.

 

I'm sorry for being flippant, but do you have any sources for that? Or do brash generalizations not count?

 

Not sure if citations are allowed as links, but I'm afraid you only need to Google this to learn something. I do not engage in "brash generalisations".

 

"Polygenetic" means that there is no single gene responsible for a phenotype - it depends upon the presence and interaction of more than one gene. Obviously if this was the case it would still mean that homosexuality was genetic, just not as simple as a single 'on-off' switch. A great deal of traits are polygenetic - hair colour for example.

Perhaps you should've followed your own advice and Googled the term before throwing out insults.

 

I was insulting no one - and you STILL have not replied as to where you learned this nonsense. I know the definition of your claim; just wanted to know where you got that idea. It's a theory and a homophobic theory at that. You're not homophobic, the theory is. You shouldn't try to start fights here, especially with people who began studying this before you were born.:tantrum:

---------- Post added 14th Apr 2012 at 02:13 AM ----------

It seems a lot of younger people are falling for some of these poly-pontifications because that is what Christian evangelicals want. If there are multiple causes even within the genes, why, then, you can be turned straight again, absolutely!

You see, any normal scientist will tell you while several scenarios are possible, the combination or the single gene WILL make you gay. Period. No way to change, and then for the Christians it's an all-out fire alarm because they cannot perceive how God could make gay people at all.

Study this properly!

 

You don't have a clue what you're talking about.

 

I don't understand how that theory is homophobic... All it's saying is that the genetic link is more complex than just one gene... which is the case with a lot of things, in my understanding.

 

The only appropriate response to the latest outburst is this image:


and a swift visit to the ignore list. Here's the link in case anyone else wants to use it:
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/profile.php?do=ignorelist

Yup. A great deal of outward traits are polygenic.

If there is a genetic cause for homosexuality then it can only be polygenic. If it was monogenic, then it would follow the very obvious pattern that monogenic phenotypes express (the 3:1 ratio of Mendelian inheritance), and would also not allow for a wide spectrum of sexualities.

 

i don't think he was trying to be insulting, he just has absolutely no idea what either you or he are talking about.

 

Elaborating on the myriad causes of homosexuality, i believe that some documented cases of radical sex-drive effects (including orientation 'switches') and changes as a result of strokes, brain tumours and certain medications exist. I think it would be nicer if there were no be-all-and-end-all 'cause' of homosexual orientation, and the evidence seems to lean toward genetics being just one (even if it does turn out to be the major one) of the causative factors.

 

CHIP: I apologize. Now please don't turn this into a Wikipedia copycat situation. If you want me off, then I'm off. If a person cannot disagree with others, then I'm not sure I want to be on here.

By the way, I doubt you are anywhere near my age.

I quote you: 'Not only have you belittled a majority of our membership with your comments about age, you've also managed to insult our members and readers who happen to be Christian. You really aren't winning any awards for "Graceful New Member" here.' Again, I apologise.

I don't think a lot of people arguing on this thread qualify for any thick-skin awards either. So aside from your unnecessarily smarmy little lecture about DNA, which renders me unable to fathom how you would spend time here instead of at your lab, I'll be happy to go or be blocked.

Your choice. It seems I am among the deceived about how this is an accepting and friendly place.

 

well... that was entertaining :icon_redf

Anyway, no, I don't want the gay gene to be discovered. If there are some homophobic scientists out there then they could wipe out that entire gene and there would be no gays left in the world. :icon_sad:

...Or we can wipe out all the heterosexual people and take over the world. :badgrin:

Just kidding.

Well, anyway, so no. I doubt that there is a gay gene though because a lot of what I read says it's polygenetic, which I agree with. I doubt that it's based on surroundings because then reparative therapy might actually work -- so it's not a choice, and therefore really it can't be based on your surroundings. There's not much else to look at except that it just happens to be, which would make it sound like it's somewhere in the genes. I also doubt that it's just one gene or else there wouldn't be much use for all of the other genes that scientists have said could affect sexuality (though I can be wrong). Also, a lot of the LGB members I've met have had some sort of family member that is also LGB, often much more than one, so it sounds like it runs in family, and again, we come back to the genes. So to me, it sounds like it's polygenetic, and that's what I believe.

And I'm completely cool with that. What if some homophobic Hitler comes and wipes out the gay gene? :C

 

I apologize in advance, therefore I'm going to be very careful--I think you are all guessing, as I admit I offer my best guess on the matter. For decades and especially the last 5 years, I have heard there is a responsible gene, and that is all I know to this point. It doesn't seem anyone else knows more--but some are making themselves sound as if they know it all. Better to study it as objectively as possible, because I seriously doubt any of the people in the field are going to be totally honest about what they find.

By the way, since I know this is being closely watched, there is a message for Chip. Hopefully, it will be taken in a serious and open-minded spirit.