Huge twin study homes in on ‘gay genes’

A genetic analysis of 409 pairs of gay twins has provided the strongest evidence yet that gay people are born gay. The study clearly links sexual orientation in men with two regions of the human genome that have been implicated before, one on the X chromosome and one on chromosome 8.

The finding is an important contribution to mounting evidence that being gay is biologically determined rather than a lifestyle choice. In some countries, such as Uganda, being gay is still criminalised, and some religious groups believe that gay people can be “treated” to make them straight.

“It erodes the notion that sexual orientation is a choice,” says study leader Alan Sanders of the NorthShore Research Institute in Evanston, Illinois.

more…

So if it was a “choice”, would that make criminalisation OK?

I wonder why they chose Uganda, rather than say Saudi Arabia, or Pakistan, or Malaysia.

I’m still friends with identical twins from school…

One is a lesbian, one is straight…

shrug …

Maybe only one was conceived in sin.

Dropbear said:

I’m still friends with identical twins from school…

One is a lesbian, one is straight…

shrug …

that can happen, straight twins, gay twins, one straight and one gay

they looked at the genes of gay twins

sexuality is diverse

heterosexuals, bisexuals, homosexuals, asexuals, transsexuals etc, both genders

CrazyNeutrino said:

Dropbear said:

I’m still friends with identical twins from school…

One is a lesbian, one is straight…

shrug …

that can happen, straight twins, gay twins, one straight and one gay

they looked at the genes of gay twins

sexuality is diverse

heterosexuals, bisexuals, homosexuals, asexuals, transsexuals etc, both genders

and to expand on that

you could have twins that are bi sexual etc

or any combination from that list

but they were looking specifically for genetic indicators in gay twins

CrazyNeutrino said:

Dropbear said:

I’m still friends with identical twins from school…

One is a lesbian, one is straight…

shrug …

that can happen, straight twins, gay twins, one straight and one gay

they looked at the genes of gay twins

sexuality is diverse

heterosexuals, bisexuals, homosexuals, asexuals, transsexuals etc, both genders

I’m a homotextual but nowadays they call us metrotextuals

My brother is gay but we’re not twins. And these days I just call myself a bachelor.

Three points:

*Sexuality is complex and I doubt any researcher would claim that it is either completely caused by environmental effects or completely caused by genetic effects.

*Even if it were entirely due to environmental effects, this would not be tantamount to saying that sexual preference is a “choice”. The relationship between environment and psychology is, too, complex.

*No matter what the cause of sexual preferences, there can be no justification for discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of sexual preference. This study is certainly of scientific merit but the focus by American activists on trying to prove a genetic cause is to my mind an ill-considered, defensive strategy with a serious risk of backfiring.

And “environmental effects” can include purely organic effects, such as the womb environment.

These sort of studies are really not helpful, some are even downright cruel, offering up false hope of a cure.
It’s not right.

As an aside, did anyone here catch last night’s Catalyst? It featured an 11 year old who was born a boy but identifies with being a girl.

Peak Warming Man said:

These sort of studies are really not helpful, some are even downright cruel, offering up false hope of a cure.
It’s not right.

Not sure if they’ve isolated the God gene yet, or if there’s much they’d be able to do about it anyway.

Divine Angel said:

As an aside, did anyone here catch last night’s Catalyst? It featured an 11 year old who was born a boy but identifies with being a girl.

There’s a lot of it about.

Bubblecar said:

Peak Warming Man said:

These sort of studies are really not helpful, some are even downright cruel, offering up false hope of a cure.
It’s not right.

Not sure if they’ve isolated the God gene yet, or if there’s much they’d be able to do about it anyway.

God lives at PWMs redoubt held prisoner by a special cell built by the ghostbusters , costs him a fortune in diesel to power the place.

Yes. One of the points made was that there is an increase in the number of parents bringing up the issue with their GPs. It’s a good thing that society seems to be more open to transgender issues, particularly as the incidence of suicide in gay and transgender young people is considerably higher than in straight, cisgender people.

I suppose if they really have identified the defective gene early termination could be possible but the Right to Life Campaigners would go apeshit, I’d imagine.

You’re a funny man, PWM.

Bubblecar said:

My brother is gay but we’re not twins. And these days I just call myself a bachelor.

I wouldn’t do that! he’s the most hated man in Australia right now

More hated than Abbott?

Divine Angel said:

More hated than Abbott?

I reckon

Peak Warming Man said:

I suppose if they really have identified the defective gene early termination could be possible but the Right to Life Campaigners would go apeshit, I’d imagine.

What makes you think its a defective gene

what if there is some biological reason

I dont know if there is a biological reason

but I think its wrong to try and say that a gene is defective

when we still do not know the whole story

Divine Angel said:

More hated than Abbott?

Yes. More people know about the b…. than about the a….

PWM’s trolling :)

Divine Angel said:

PWM’s trolling :)

religion does not understand biology

CrazyNeutrino said:

Divine Angel said:

PWM’s trolling :)

religion does not understand biology

religions does not understand genetics either

amongst a lot of other things

stop it PWM, you’re upsetting CN

CrazyNeutrino said:

Divine Angel said:

PWM’s trolling :)

religion does not understand biology

Sure it does
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z-OLG0KyR4

You can’t argue with logic like this.

So…to escape the crazy old guy I tell him I have to go help the new bookseller at the counter. I tell the new guy to look like he needs help because I am be driven mad by the old man who wants me to take him to Oz (yep, he does). The new bookseller (who is rather nervous and shy and quiet) listens and then says: You’re Australian?!
It’s the most animated I have seen him in the few weeks he’s been there. I cracked up and high-fived him. Best thing to happen for ages.

The End.

oops….I blame the big stinky poop the kitten just delivered to the litter box.

CrazyNeutrino said:

Peak Warming Man said:

I suppose if they really have identified the defective gene early termination could be possible but the Right to Life Campaigners would go apeshit, I’d imagine.

What makes you think its a defective gene

what if there is some biological reason

I dont know if there is a biological reason

but I think its wrong to try and say that a gene is defective

when we still do not know the whole story

Nice catch, PWM, but remember this is strictly a catch and release program.

Where are they getting all these huge twins anyway?

CrazyNeutrino said:

Dropbear said:

I’m still friends with identical twins from school…

One is a lesbian, one is straight…

shrug …

that can happen, straight twins, gay twins, one straight and one gay

they looked at the genes of gay twins

sexuality is diverse

heterosexuals, bisexuals, homosexuals, asexuals, transsexuals etc, both genders

and intersex

Divine Angel said:

As an aside, did anyone here catch last night’s Catalyst? It featured an 11 year old who was born a boy but identifies with being a girl.

I saw Four Corners, but not Catalyst.

Divine Angel said:

Yes. One of the points made was that there is an increase in the number of parents bringing up the issue with their GPs. It’s a good thing that society seems to be more open to transgender issues, particularly as the incidence of suicide in gay and transgender young people is considerably higher than in straight, cisgender people.

The suicide rate is terrible. :(

It is good that parents are dealing with it in an empathetic and proactive manner.

I’m a wealthy person born into a poor man’s body

CrazyNeutrino said:

Peak Warming Man said:

I suppose if they really have identified the defective gene early termination could be possible but the Right to Life Campaigners would go apeshit, I’d imagine.

What makes you think its a defective gene

what if there is some biological reason

I dont know if there is a biological reason

but I think its wrong to try and say that a gene is defective

when we still do not know the whole story

***whispers “He’s taking the piss!”***

ms spock said:

Divine Angel said:

As an aside, did anyone here catch last night’s Catalyst? It featured an 11 year old who was born a boy but identifies with being a girl.

I saw Four Corners, but not Catalyst.

I don’t watch Catalyst. Too much medical, not enough science.

ms spock said:

CrazyNeutrino said:

Dropbear said:

I’m still friends with identical twins from school…

One is a lesbian, one is straight…

shrug …

that can happen, straight twins, gay twins, one straight and one gay

they looked at the genes of gay twins

sexuality is diverse

heterosexuals, bisexuals, homosexuals, asexuals, transsexuals etc, both genders

and intersex

And multisex , I learnt that from an Austin powers film

Not forgetting steam punk sex

Some people swear that public urinals the best place to have sex

So now they’ve found the genes, is a cure on the cards?

PWM only beat you to that joke by a few days

dv said:

Where are they getting all these huge twins anyway?