Why is the gay gene problematic
Efforts from scientists trying to identify “gay genes” are part of a longstanding, problematic tradition of research focused on how minority groups are genetically other .
To many of us, the attractions of gay sex are pretty evident. But some scientists continue to wonder why people perform it. If lgbtq+ sex isn’t reproductive, why hasn’t innate selection weeded out all the queers? Why, after all this evolutionary period, isn’t everybody straight?
Increasingly, people consider that sexuality is biologically innate. Sexual preferences shouldn’t be changed and they can’t be, uncomplicated as that. Per the famous Gaga refrain, we are “born this way.” Indeed, scientists may acquire helped to promote these beliefs. Some say not only that genes largely decide your sexuality, but also that genes help to explain why same-sex attracted people exist at all.
Case in point: A recent paper published in Nature Human Behaviorlooked to see whether genes associated with having gay sex are also linked with having more reproductive sex. Specifically, its scientists were curious whether ‘gay genes’ in unbent people could assist straight people to have sex with more partners. They fou
Return of the 'gay gene'
Two regions of the human genome have been linked to homosexuality in the largest study on the topic to date.
Researchers assessed DNA from 409 pairs of homosexual brothers and found that regions on the X chromosome and chromosome 8 might influence sexual orientation. However, the research has not yet identified any specific genes.
The study follows over 30 years of analyze started by Dr Dean Hamer, who was not involved in this analyze, who first identified the region on the X chromosome in a petty study on 40 lgbtq+ men in 1993. 'When you first find something out of the entire genome, you're always wondering if it was just by chance', Dr Hamer told Science magazine.
Dr Kenneth Kendler, editor at Psychological Medicine, which published the study, told Science: 'In my circles, it was seen as "Oh, another false-positive finding". Findings in this general area of human behavioural genetics were at that time really plagued by concerns about replicability.'
Over the years, several other studies had tried to replicate Dr Hamer's original study, but only one has identified the region on the X chromosome as a potential link to homosexuality. However, another re
Why biological studies on lgbtq+ people do more injure than good
Recently, a community of researchers claimed to prove that bisexual men exist. This study, rightfully, garnered a lot of criticism, and it is not the only one of its kind. More and more studies are looking into the genetic underpinnings of sexuality or trans identities. Many of them use flawed methodologies, such as treating both gender and attraction as strict binaries, or equating attraction and physiological arousal. However, methodology aside, there is a bigger problem with these studies: their potential consequences on society.
Take, for example, at studies looking at the genetic underpinnings of homosexuality in men. In severalpapersoverthe last few years, scientists have investigated how genetics influence sexuality, and in some cases, identified genes that may play a role in sexuality. A potential negative societal result of these studies could be parents selecting against fetuses with "gay genes," or even people trying to erase these genes all together as a "cure" for homosexuality.
On the other hand, a possible positive societal effect is these studies proving that sexua
New Science On Gay Attraction
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What makes people gay? Evidence is mounting for innateness over nurture. We’ll look at the latest research on human sexuality.
Ten years ago, reporter Neil Swidey with the Boston Globe establish out to study everything known – nature, nurture, the works - about why some people are gay. He wrote up his summary, and it was one of the most-read pieces the paper ever put online. For themselves, a ally, a child, a sibling — people want to realize. The ten years since have only raised the profile of gay and lesbian Americans. Their rights. Their existence. The fluidity of sexuality. And Swidey has come support with an update on the latest research. This hour On Point: What makes people gay? What we know now.
-- Tom Ashbrook
Guests
Neil Swidey, reporter for the Boston Globe Magazine. (@neilswidey)
Lisa Diamond, psychologist and professor of developmental psychology and health psychology at the University of Utah. Author of "Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire." (@lisadiamondlab)
Qazi Rahman, senior lecturer in psychology at King's College, London. Re
Last week I published a review of Genes and the Bioimaginary by Deborah Lynn Steinberg in The Guardian. The book covers a whole range of research about genetics, but one chapter — on the gay gene — particularly grabbed my interest. Below is the first draft of the article I wrote for The Guardian (completely overhauled), which focuses on the male lover gene chapter and a debate I’ve had with Dr Qazi Rahman on the issue. Enjoy!
In a recent response to my article questioning the science of the ‘gay gene’Dr Qazi Rahman argued that not only is the science of the gene ‘on track’, but that gay, lesbian and bisexuals should embrace it as a way to further LGB rights. As he argued:
“Finding evidence for a biological basis should not scare us or undermine gay, lesbian and attracted to both genders (LGB) rights (the studies I refer to undertake not include transgendered individuals, so I’ll confine my comments to lesbian, homosexual and bisexual people). I would argue that sympathetic our fundamental biological world should make us more vigorous in promoting LGB rights.”
I was really delighted to see Dr. Rahman’s response and in particular that he engaged with the politics around the gene. While I clea