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The largest study to date on the genetic basis of sexuality (2019)

nature.com

41–50 of 495 posts

Re: The largest study to date on the genetic basis of sexuality (2019)

#42

"Ganna and his colleagues also used the analysis to estimate that up to 25% of sexual behaviour can be explained by genetics, with the rest influenced by environmental and cultural factors — a figure similar to the findings of smaller studies." An argument for gay rights has been that people are "born that way". That appears to be false. Does this suggest that it may be possible to shape the environment to reduce the…

The cultural factors related to being gay could easily be unrelated to how much being gay is accepted by society. Especially considering how many famous people are now known to have been gay during a time when it was not acceptable.

Also, there are lots of social studies that seem to suggest having gay family members can be beneficial to the family as a whole, so reducing the amount of homosexuality in the world may actually be undesirable.

Re: The largest study to date on the genetic basis of sexuality (2019)

#45
post #3

A lot of the search for a gay gene seems trapped in an outdated understanding of sexuality as a binary proposition: "you're either A or B." How do you even begin to contemplate a study on sexuality once you understand it as highly varied and fluid? Same with gender. They're bimodal distributions at best . You can't just crop off the confounding valleys and call what you do with them good science.

Not sure why you're being downvoted. You're right that human sexuality is nowhere near as clear cut as blonde/brown hair, or spotted fur on animals. Still, that doesn't mean genetics do not play a role in determining human sexuality, binary or otherwise.

[deleted]

Re: The largest study to date on the genetic basis of sexuality (2019)

#46
Did anyone ever actually think there was a gay gene-- more accurately, allele? Homosexuality clearly has a genetic component, and we've known that for decades. But we've also known for decades that most traits are not controlled by a single gene and that human sexuality is not a binary matter.

This seems like describing a launch to the ISS with the headline "No firmament".

Re: The largest study to date on the genetic basis of sexuality (2019)

#50
post #2

Not an expert here but, IF a gay gene existed, wouldn't have it been evolved into extinction?

Well yes and no. It might actually give a benefit to other siblings. It could manifest itself only in certain circumstances in the womb or in the environment if something helps the phenotype manifest itself...

For example there is a correlation with sibling order and homosexuality. The more boys your mother had before you the more chance you have of being homosexual. We're talking about a non-negligible increase of over 30%: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraternal_birth_order_and_male...

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