Many people now believe the reporting of many popular newspapers and magazines report of the "discovery" of a link between a certain gene and homosexuality, but hasn't it been considered a choice for such a long time? Is homosexuality a choice rather than genetic? To answer this question we'll start off by revealing some myths of homosexuality. The next part will explain the difference between a behavioral trait and a genetic trait. Finally I'll end be unveiling the truth behind the "homosexual gene."
There are many things that the homosexual activists say are true, but those "truths" are merely myths in need of correction. The first of these myths says homosexuals are normal, healthy, everyday people, but on the contrary they are usually less psychologically healthy than the average person. Research shows that homosexuals are substantially higher risk for emotional problems like suicidal tendencies. Major depression, and conduct disorders, and another study showed that a substantial percentage of homosexuals report some illegal drug use. The second myth up for discussion says the Bible doesn't condemn homosexuality it only condemns promiscuity, which couldn't be further from the truth, the fact is that, through the Bible, God clearly condemns any sexual act outside of a monogamous, heterosexual marriage. Many places through the Bible God condemns homosexuality, in the Law of Moses it is called an abomination and the book of Romans says that they lift the natural for the unnatural, doing what is shameful and their bodies receiving the due penalty for their wrongs. The third myth says that homosexuals are born that way where as the truth is there is no evidence to support the statement that a person can be born homosexual. The stu...
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...not consistent with the genetic model. In 1989 several years before the study by Dean Hamer was done researchers in Canada and at Stanford Medical School conducted a similar study to Hamer's. The study they did used more people and yet they came to a much different conclusion than what Hamer came to even though they had more study subjects than what Hamer had. The conclusion they came to found that there was no link between Xq28 and homosexuality. One researcher said that the homosexual issue was so complex that more than 8,000subjects are needed for a study to confirm a behavioral trait as genetic.
So in conclusion, is homosexuality a choice rather than genetic? The evidence appears to be in total favor that homosexuality is a choice rather than genetic. The main reason for this is because Dean Hamer and the media had to support false research and false information.
In Brandon Ambrosino’s “I am Gay – but I Wasn't Born This Way”, the author states his reasoning as to why he believes he chose to be gay. Being one of the few who questions the born this way ideology, Ambrosino, along with other LGBTQ activists, are “cast as homophobic, and their thinking is considered backward”(par 10). However, just because an argument like this is popular, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. Even scientific organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) believes that people have no control over their sexual orientations, however, no findings have been found that determine if sexual orientation is determined from hormones, genetics, or cultural influences(par 21), therefore contradicting the previous claim.
Most scientists and psychologists believe that homosexuality is caused by a gene determined at birth much like your hair, skin, and eye color are determined, meaning homosexuality is not a choice and is no more a choice than choosing your skin color. Studies known as adoption studies show that sexual preference is genetic by adopting a young infant child and placing them in either a homosexual or h...
The first possible cause of homosexuality is genetic factors. Homosexuality is a trait from birth (Buchanan, 2000). Studies found that identical twins share many common traits. A study found that identical twins normally share homosexual behavior if one of them is homosexual. This proved that genes are likely to cause homosexuality. In addition, according to (Santinover, 2002), homosexuality is a heritable behavior. Based on heritability studies, almost any human trait is heritable including the homosexual behavior. He stated that behavioral genes are found in specific chromosome. Thus, the behavior is obviously heritable. Moreover, Italian University of Padova (2004) believes that homosexual trait is passed from mother to male offspring by natural ...
This represents a change in avenue of attack, not a broad ideological shift from historic eugenic arguments. Similarly, the search for the "gay gene," while a relatively new scientific concept, is highly reminiscent of previous understandings of queer sexuality, which located deviance in physical and/or hormonal "abnormalities." The idea that queer people's queerness is loc...
Homosexuality has been around as long for as there is recorded history. Through the years, however, the opinions towards homosexuality have changed. Now, homosexuality is being labeled as a genetic trait rather than as a psychological problem. Not everyone believes this to be true, however. I have always believed that homosexuality is genetic and I decided to search the web for some evidence.
Sexuality over the years has been defined and reshaped in many ways by different researchers and experts. In the CNN article, “Being Gay is not a Choice,” James Hormel defines sexuality as something that you are born with and cannot hide or ignore your true identity. In the article, Hormel recalls the times in his life where he felt alone and when he hid the truth. Hormel goes on to state how he “spent the first 35 years of my life trying real hard not to be gay”(Hormel, pg. 1). However, despite Hormel 's views I disagree with this article in many ways as it shows little evidence on how someone could in fact be born gay. An individual decides his identity and sexuality, which in most cases is tied together with how one is raised and the environment in which one is raised in. John Hormel’s article on sexuality can be countered by an article written John D’Emilio. His article, “Capitalism
10.7 million Americans consider themselves Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender, which is about 3.4% of our population. How does homosexuality occur? Is a man gay because of a missing father and an overbearing mother? Is a woman gay because of her desire to please her father by showing that she is worthy of the love she cannot seem to receive from him? Recently, most studies on the genetic liabilities of homosexuality have focused on men, but it is believed that the observations from these experiments also apply to women. Homosexuality is not strictly genetic, but epigenetic, and has characteristics of a hereditary trait.
In conclusion, homosexuality is not caused by a mutation, although it could be an allele that is passed down on the X chromosome. There as many theories as to why there are homosexuals, some say it is nature, others say it is nurture. There are also many limitations which stop us from finding a ‘gay gene’, many of these limitations are due to ethics. [Words: 2888]
In 1992, Vice-President Dan Quayle said that homosexuality "is more of a choice than a biological situation...It is a wrong choice." (1). Quayle's statement counters the sentiment of many homosexuals that their sexual orientation is neither a lifestyle nor a personal choice, it is innate and unchangeable (2) . Is homosexuality a choice or does sexual preference have a biological basis? This question is at the forefront of academic, scientific, political, legal and media consciousness (3). The debate over homosexuality has influenced a myriad of research in finding a biological cause for differences in sexual behavior.
Genes are thought to play a critical role in sexual orientation, however which genes are actually contributing this effect is unknown. There are some genes being explored carefully, but there is no strong evidence existing. An example that demonstrates the correlation between genes and sexual orientation is twin studies. Evidence shows when one twin is homosexual the other twin will have a 50% chance of being homosexual as well. There seems to be a high concordance rate of sexual orientation between family members (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). It is evident, biology play a significant role in the development of sexual orientation, however much research is still being conducted to prove its
Williams, Kyle. “’Gay’ gene: Fact or Fiction?” www.wnd.com. N.p., 3 Aug. 2008. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. .
...ally factors are responsible for sexual orientation. There are so many variations within society that could affect at person's sexuality, that it is impossible to make any assertions at this point. Therefore the nature and nurture debate is still open.
Over the years, there has been a debate whether homosexuality is due to nature or nurture. In other words, are you born gay, or do you become gay? Scientists look into its background and origins of homosexuality. Some believe it is developmental or some have even tried to diagnose a disorder back originally. There are many valid points to either side that can be discussed and much information to be researched about this topic. On one hand, people may say that you are born gay due to your genetic makeup because they always seem to know that they have been gay; on the other hand some people may argue that your surroundings sway you to become gay because some people may not come out until their later years. Both sides pose important questions such as; is there a chance that you could have a gay offspring if nobody in your family line was ever gay if it deals with genetics? Or maybe if you are born gay, then why don’t people talk about it or even come out until later in life? Does your family situation involving how many brothers and/or sisters you have effect the sexuality of someone or is that aspect just completely disregarded? All of these questions can be answered with simple explanations and when it comes down to it all, there is no correct side to this argument; it is all what people believe. Despite all of this, the real question is, is homosexuality a result of a person’s environment and surroundings or of his biology and genetics?
Though many researchers will agree that homosexuality is not genetic, still, others beg to differ. HRC.org published an article entitled “Guide to Coming Out,” the article states ‘sexuality and gender identity are not choices any more than being left-handed or having brown eyes or being heterosexual are choices…The choice is in deciding how to live your life.’ With society always shoving their view into the minds of Americans second of everyday, it is not that hard to see where the confusion arises.
From the moment people born, there are certain basic functions that will be with them throughout their lives. The abilities to eat, breathe, sleep, or to have the capacity to learn are a natural occurrence for most people. There are, however, traits that are specific to each individual. They are traits that set them apart from everyone else. The traits such as eye color, ones dominate hand, or susceptibility to a specific disease are a few traits that aren’t easily changed. However, there are some that are controversially questioned as to whether or not one is born with the trait or if it is a learned behavior. One of the biggest of these controversies is the question of whether sexual orientation is a choice or something that is beyond the individual’s influence. Although the evidence is commonly disregarded because of personal beliefs or opinions, sexual orientation is not a choice.