MrDarwin

I beg to differ. I think there's quite a bit of evidence that homosexuality is genetically influenced, at least in some cases. But you're right in that there is no single gene that has been identified as a "gay gene", much less that a single gene, by itself, will determine whether somebody turns out homosexual or heterosexual--and I don't think there ever will be. I think there are several genes involved, it's not a simple matter of dominant/recessive, and any one "gay" gene alone is not sufficient (i.e., there are numerous non-genetic influences, both before birth and after).

pz

Where?

MrDarwin

Bubba, if you haven't already, you should read <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=57&t=000746" target="_blank">this thread</a>, and in particular check out the links scigirl provided near the top of the second page.

MrDarwin

pz, I don't have time to do the websearching right now; hopefully I'll get back to this when I have more time.

pz

Actually, it's a rhetorical question. I'm very familiar with the published literature that purports to find a genetic basis for homosexuality. I'd be more interested in seeing what you find at all persuasive about it.

MrDarwin

I'll have to review the individual pieces of research, but two reasons I have not to doubt them (weak reasoning, I know) are (1) many behaviors, at least in humans other than animals*, are turning out to have a genetic basis, and (2) purely anecdotally, I know far too many gay men who have either gay brothers (which could also support maternal physiological influence, upbringing, etc.) or gay uncles or cousins (which is a little more difficult to ascribe to non-genetic influences). (I also know of more than one gay man with a gay father, although the fathers generally lived heterosexual lives and did not "come out" until late in life.) Homosexuality does indeed seem to run in families.

Meanwhile, I'd be interested in seeing what you find unpersuasive about these studies, and whether you know of any published studies that provide evidence against a genetic basis for homosexuality.

(*edited, late, to add that I meant "animals other than humans", rather than vice-versa.)

[ December 10, 2002: Message edited by: MrDarwin ]

[ December 10, 2002: Message edited by: MrDarwin ]</p>

Doubting Didymus

I include the word 'many', so it is quite legitimate for me to generalise from the group that I am personally familiar with. I am not making a cast iron infallible statement, I simply see no reason to believe that homosexuals hate or love children any more or less that heterosexuals. Until I am aware of any studies on this question, and considering the frequent controversies about homosexuals seeking IVF treatment or adoption services, I find it prudent to assume that they are statistically the same as everyone else when it comes to desire for children.

Do you have any reason to think that this might be otherwise?

Autonemesis

Thank you! Handedness is an excellent analog to homosexuality. Neither trait confers any overwhelming survival advantage, in fact many disadvantages are borne by left-handed and homosexual people. Despite strong social pressures to conform to the "norm," people remain stubbornly left-handed (or gay).

Autonemesis

I think DD meant many desire to rear children. It's not a reference to pedophilia. I thought that's where he was going too, at first.

ps418

The page you linked to makes it clear that handedness shows a nonzero heritability:

Patrick