The Gay Gene

Sophus · June 20, 2009, 05:30:06 AM

Okay, so I finally saw Religulous and is was wonderful (as expected). However I was hoping they would go more in depth with the interview of the man who discovered "The Gay Gene." So I went and did some research myself. Here's the best article I could find:

http://www.livescience.com/health/080617-hereditary-homosexuality.html

It's all very fascinating and seems plausible to me. Of course there is some controversy to it but I'm thinking it's only coming from the religious fanatics.

Thoughts on this?

jbeukema · August 17, 2009, 01:50:40 PM

it is unlikely that it is influenced by a single gene alone.

skurry · August 17, 2009, 04:08:03 PM

*missed this post*

The idea of a gay gene is counter-intuitive. Genes want to survive, they need to reproduce, otherwise homosexuality would have been "wiped out" long ago. Although I don't think it is a choice either. I guess it's just another mystery of the universe. If there does so happen to be a recessive gene for homosexuality I hope it is never found, all this world needs now is hate crimes against gay fetus'.... feti.... the plural form of fetus.

skurry · August 17, 2009, 04:08:49 PM

And Religuous is a great film, even if I'm not a big fan of Maher.

jbeukema · August 18, 2009, 01:29:37 AM

Quote from: "skurry"*missed this post*

The idea of a gay gene is counter-intuitive. Genes want to survive, they need to reproduce, otherwise homosexuality would have been "wiped out" long ago.

See: Sexually antagonostic evolution

See also: polygenic inheritance

AlP · August 18, 2009, 01:37:57 AM

I have not read jbeukema's links yet. I say the idea that homosexuality cannot be explained by evolution is premature. I can think of all kinds of plausible explanations. I await results. Now I will read jbeukema's links.

jbeukema · August 18, 2009, 01:49:48 AM

Quote from: "AlP"I have not read jbeukema's links yet. I say the idea that homosexuality cannot be explained by evolution is premature. I can think of all kinds of plausible explanations. I await results. Now I will read jbeukema's links.

I posted links? I don't remember posting links in this thread :hmm:

AlP · August 18, 2009, 01:51:35 AM

Quote from: "jbeukema"
Quote from: "AlP"I have not read jbeukema's links yet. I say the idea that homosexuality cannot be explained by evolution is premature. I can think of all kinds of plausible explanations. I await results. Now I will read jbeukema's links.
I posted links? I don't remember posting links in this thread

See: Sexually antagonostic evolution

See also: polygenic inheritance

Admittedly they weren't links =).

Big Mac · August 18, 2009, 08:55:44 AM

Either way, who gives a fuck. Live and let live. Someone wants to screw another person of the same gender, good on them. More room for me to score with the opposite sex. Gays are an easy scape-goat for pissed off folks.

AlP · August 18, 2009, 09:53:44 AM

I don't think anybody is being disrespectful here. Nobody is being made a scapegoat. Although the thread title "The Gay Gene" could have been put more tactfully I would say. All kinds of sexuality are interesting. To me, those that appear to defy evolution are especially interesting.

templeboy · August 18, 2009, 12:38:37 PM

[youtube:3to6hwos]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCzbNkyXO50[/youtube:3to6hwos]

skurry · August 18, 2009, 04:01:36 PM

That video is WIN

jbeukema · August 18, 2009, 04:25:12 PM

The way JB views it, more fags means less competition...

Kylyssa · August 18, 2009, 05:03:05 PM

Quote from: "jbeukema"The way JB views it, more fags means less competition...

Unfortunately for all the guys who think homosexuality means more cunny for them, there are female homosexuals as well.

I don't think any one thing is the source of sexual orientation. I think there are a lot of factors - including but not limited to genetics. Fetal exposure to different hormone levels, greater or lesser sensitivity to hormones, pre-natal antibody exposure, and neurologically atypical development may all be factors. I've often pondered if my bisexuality has roots in sharing a womb with a male or even with my mild autism. I've pondered if my "natural" inclination is homosexual because I'm most physically attracted to women but I find men intellectually attractive due to my thought processes and the way both tend to be raised in our culture. I'm willing to admit I have no idea how my sexuality works or why it is what it is - but I do know it was never a decision for me.

It's a long way off, our understanding of human sexuality. I wonder how a "gay gene" would change fundies' view of abortion though.

jbeukema · August 18, 2009, 10:24:00 PM

Quote from: "Kylyssa"
Quote from: "jbeukema"The way JB views it, more fags means less competition...

Unfortunately for all the guys who think homosexuality means more cunny for them, there are female homosexuals as well.

Yes, but many of them are ugly :cool:

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The Gay Gene