And the Renewed Interest in Genetic Factors in Homosexuality
By Melanie Nathan, February 14, 2014.
In an article posted by Warren Throckmorton, it is revealed that papers in Australia and the UK published stories late yesterday about a study recently described at the 2013 International Association for Sex Research by Alan Sanders and then yesterday by Michael Bailey at the American Association for the Advancement of Science on genetics and homosexuality.
According to an abstract of a 2012 presentation of the study, the researchers conducted a genome-wide linkage study involving over 400 pairs of gay brothers. The team identified two regions of interest: the pericentromeric region of chromosome 8 and Xq28, the region previously reported by Dean Hamer in 1993. According to the 2012 abstract, the findings “suggest that genetic variation in each of these regions contributes to development of the important psychological trait of male sexual orientation.”
The study has not been published but will surely renew interest in genetic factors involved in homosexuality. According to Bailey, as reported in the Guardian, sexual orientation is not a choice. However, this does not mean that sexual orientation is completely determined by genes. It appears that the regions identified in this study contribute in some manner to variation in the trait of sexual orientation. The linkages identified in the study do not eliminate the role of other factors in sexual orientation, including the balance of hormones during fetal development.
The new study is consistent with our statement in the recent letter to Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni:
From a scientific perspective, the causes of homosexuality are only partially understood. While it is unlikely that there is one simple biological or genetic cause for homosexuality in all people, there are neural, cognitive and personality differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals which appear to have at least some basis in biology.
The Article can be found here: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2014/02/14/new-study-of-gay-brothers-renews-interest-in-genetic-factors-in-homosexuality/
Either way it seems this study could contribute significantly to the fact that gays in Uganda and other countries should not be legislating to criminalize people for being gay. Let us hope that Museveni has received his copy!
Because of the genetic component jailing and persecuting gays is clearly contrary to a very basic human right to one’s sexuality. I hope President Museveni has seen this study as he did suggest he would not sign the Bill if it could be shown that being gay is not a choice. On the other hand I am hearing right now from sources that the President is leaning toward assenting to the Bill.
READ our article –http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2014/02/14/ugandan-mps-and-museveni-want-to-stop-bail-for-sodomy/ – where we mention the pandering that is going on by Yoweri Museveni to get himself re-elected – the anti-gay Bill has been a very strong political weapon, not only deflecting from the real ills of Uganda, but also a political tool to schmooze the anti-gay majority of MPS into keeping Museveni in his dictatorial slot.
UPDATED: Reports are coming in that Museveni may assent to the anti-gay Bill regardless of his quest for scientific information: Read more at http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2014/02/14/ugandan-president-museveni-has-said-he-will-sign-the-anti-gay-bill/
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Could this be the changing factor???