Can the So-Called “Gay Gene” Decide Your Sexual Orientation?

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In 1993, researchers found that a stretch of DNA on the X chromosome was linked to male homosexuality. This stretch of DNA was popularly called as the "gay gene" in the media, causing significant controversy within the public and inspiring a lot of follow-up studies over the years.

    

    
But the latest study published on the journal Science found that there is no single "gay gene" that can decide someone's sexual orientation.    
 

About the study
 

For the study, the researchers studied the genetic profiles of nearly 480,000 people from the United States and the United Kingdom, a group approximately 100 times larger than any previous study of the link between genetics and same-sex attraction.
 

There is no "gay gene"
 

The researchers found five specific genetic variants that were significantly associated with same-sex behavior, but none was reliable enough to decide someone's sexuality. Overall, genetic factors could explain 8–25% of the variation in sexual behavior.



"It's effectively impossible to predict an individual's sexual behavior from their genome," said the researcher Ben Neale. "Genetics is less than half of this story for sexual behavior, but it's still a very important contributing factor. These findings reinforce the importance of diversity as a key aspect of sexual behavior."

Besides, the researchers found some odd things about these five specific genes. For example:

—One gene was related to the sense of smell.

—Another gene was related to male baldness.

This suggests that there may be a relationship between hormone regulation and same-sex desire.



Sexual orientation is a normal piece of the human experience
 

GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), the world's largest LGBTQ advocacy group, said the results show that being gay or lesbian was a natural part of human life.

"The identities of LGBTQ people are not up for debate. This new research also reconfirms the long-established understanding that there is no conclusive degree to which nature or nurture influence how a gay or lesbian person behaves," said GLAAD Chief Programs Officer Zeke Stokes.



The results also call into question the Kinsey Scale.
 

What is Kinsey Scale?
 

The Kinsey scale, also called the Heterosexual–Homosexual Rating Scale, is used in research to describe a person's sexual orientation based on one's experience or response at a given time.

The scale typically ranges from 0 to 6. 0 means one is exclusively heterosexual while 6 means one is exclusively homosexual.



But a person's attraction to those of the same sex is shaped by a complex mix of genetic and environmental influences, so Kinsey scale is actually an oversimplification of the diversity of sexual behavior in humans.

Researchers are now considering whether a person's attraction to men and to women should be considered separate from each other, according to lead researcher Andrea Ganna.
 

Many questions are still unanswered
 

The study leaves many questions unanswered, but it is still important to tell people that there is no so-called "gay gene".



 

"This is a natural and normal part of variation in our species, and that should also support the position that we shouldn't try and develop gay cures. That's not in anyone's interest," said Neale.

7 Answers

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All Homos/Lesbos/transbos will go to HELL unless they ask God to forgive them of their sins and turn away from their wicked ways and pray.Satan will tell you the Homo that it's totally ok for you to be this way. Satan is walking about on this earth seeking who he may devour and take with him to his kingdom and that place is outer darkness (Hell)  You're not born this way You have made a decision to be the way you are, You are always trying to gain acceptance. I am straight and I love it.
Since you are straight and love it, why post using anonymous? Tell everyone who you are! Let us all know who the ignorant homophobe is!
Well, there’s so much to this statement. If you believe in Christianity ? Then yes, homosexuality is a sin and according to the gospel will go to hell. Man created man and women in his likeness and gave us rules to live bye. Homosexually is  not something you or I or anyone else is born with. Unless the devil was present when you was made. It took a man and women for every person on this earth to get where they are today. It didn’t happen because some man struck his D in some ass! This world is on a fast track to self destruction. Wake up, evil and the devil is every where
dumbass
It looks like that u r just another McKrae Game.
We need to pray for you. God is love not hate.
Man can we all relax?? My father's a pastor.. I am not. In fact I'm very much a dinner. We all are. But God has called us to all love each other. Not to condemn one another. Yes the Bible says for a man to lie with another man like a woman is an abomination but it also says not to point out the sliver in ones eye when u have a plan in yours. Not to condemn and to love the neighbors. Quit making my dad and Christian's the real ones not just "God's fan club look bad. Clearly you are full of hate. And you have no regard for these people's souls. You want them in hell that's why you hate them so blatenly whether you know it or not. You're called to love them and reach out Minister and educate them so they will give good a chance to work in their lives and you're trying to do the opposite. U need God more than them I pray u get this reply and it does something for you. And for any gays let me plz redeem the real Christian's name here and apologize for my neighbors response. He's obviously southern Baptist lol. Jesus loves us all equally therefore so do I. I believe we are all his children and I believe we are all born pure and innocent not straight not gay I believe most of y'all I've had something happen that shouldn't happened or saw something he shouldn't have seen probably bad parenting in the end but something made y'all the way that y'all are end I think that's horrible but that doesn't mean that you're horrible or any less of a person or even wrong It also says in the Bible that if you're unknowingly sinning then it's not a sin. I seriously pray anyone reading this gives it some thought. I gaurantee no Christian will argue with my words.
No truer words could be said. It is not our job to judge. Sin is sin it is not ranked by weights an measures and we are all sinners. We are commanded by God to love all people. Homosexuality is mentioned once in the bible I dare anyone to count how many time being prideful is noted. My daughter is gay, she also lives with God present in her heart and has been raised to be strong, self assured and loving of all people. I thank Gid every day for how amazing she is and I know God loves her as much as he loves us all equally for he is the true definition of unconditional love.
Thanks as a Christian only God judges as a married women!Dont think all Gay people ask to be gay as I do believe in the dark side,Grace gets you there  .We all are born in to sin!Thanks for posting so much hate A little understanding goes a lot way
We ell saud faithful servant god bless you Oklahoma city ok brettcseiger
I have been clean n sober almost 5 yrs. Not in and of myself, it was by the grace of God & the power of the holy ghost. I will ever be grateful.
What im getting at is this: I was created in His image, on purpose for a purpose, for Gods pleasure. And it pleases Him to give me the desires of my heart. Today those desires are aligned with what His will is...but they werent always.
In the garden, sin came into the picture and sins punishment sickness disease and death. In my flesh, & who adam made me, i was a drug addict, seeking only a life that pleased my flesh, with my soul on a fast track to hell. Idolatry, Pride of life, lusts of the flesh.
BUT GOD...sent His son, His Spirit, His Word robed in flesh--Jesus-- to take my punishment for sin. And when i accepted that, and made place for Him within my heart(he now has ALL my heart) He began changing me from who i had decided to be into who He created me to be.
Its as simple as this: every morning, i chose to deny myself pick up my cross and walk after Him. Not minding those things of the flesh. I share with others my story, how he brought me out...some want what ive found in christ, some aint ready; but i never underestimate the power of the seed planted in love. Ive not seen His word return void not one time. His Love will pursue them until they answer His call, and until then, im supposed to love them. Its not for me to condemn judge or liberate...its the truth that sets the captives free. And for me that is Jesus and His love and faithfulness. Just get to know Him and then decide if you still want to follow the disappointing dead end roads this world offers. He hasnt failed me not one time. And He wants that relationship with you also.
I just love Him and all Hes done for me and i just wanted to share that.
I guess someone maybe needed to hear it. Im not homophobic or damning anyone to hell. We all sin, even tho some sin differently than than others...but theres forgiveness for us all too, and its found in Jesus.
God bless you
You cannot choose your sexuality. Scientifically hormones determine who you are and who you will be  while in the womb. You can try to be one way but your authentic self will emerge eventually.
You Christians who promote hate towards your fellow humans should be called out. Shame on you! No wonder people are falling away from the church when people like you promote bigotry.
Anonymous,
Anonymous, Sep 3, are you a Jehovahs Witness?  I know they believe a gay person chooses to be that way.  I don’t know “straight” men who would “choose” to have sex with another man for the rest of their lives.  I’ve read that hormones you develop in the womb indicate your attraction to a male or female.  There may not be a gene that causes attraction to the same sex, but something does such as hormones.
You’re such a loser.  Your ignorance is staggering.
You sure don't sound like a believer in God.
You are a sick and hateful person. Who are you to pass judgment on humanity? People like you are a danger to society.
See what I mean?
Is an oral or anal intercourse with a woman any different from an oral or anal intercourse with a man? Here is your answer.
Yes.  With a woman, this action from a man is perverted, & can cause insanity due to this degrading injury to the woman’s physical emotional, & spiritual personality.  There is no love in this action, only betrayal of true love once given & trusted.  My own experience!  It’s definitely not about innocent pleasure.  It’s about psychopathic violence!
YOU are all too stupid for me to even enter into this conversation.  Nobody is going to hell.  Hell is a made up conception by men.  Its meant to scare little children and weak of mind into behaving them selves.   God is not going to cast anyone into the fire.  Why would he destroy his own creation. We humans are the problem.  Who do you think wrote the bible.?  Men.  Many over the years.  And are laws passed down from God and laws passed down from men.  And nowhere does it say in God laws that homosexuality is a sin.  Its just not there.  That would be the man laws.  And we all know The Man ain't always right.

End of story.

Well I guess I entered into the conversation anyway.
It says in the Bible that homosexuality is an abomination. If you have read or studied the Holy Word you would know this.
The Bible says nothing about "homosexuality" as an innate dimension of personality. Sexual orientation was not understood in biblical times.
If it says  nothing about homosexuality , then why did GOD destroy Sodomn and Gomorrah ???   Moses went to try an persuade them to change their ways an they would not .  Men were having sex w men an Women w Women .  However study about Eunuchs in the bible  God said to understand if you can !   A eunuch may be born that way, or they may be priest who decide to be a eunuch for the Lord an stay celibate , or may be like the ones who are castrated an made into a girl . BUT, Our thing is, NOT to judge ! The Lord knows who and why concerning everything an everyone ! He made us ALL . Yes He gives us all a choice and WE decide what we do an God will read from EACH  PERSONS HEART AN JUDGE THEM HIMSELF !!  I say , be kind an pray for your earthly brothers an sisters if you feel they are wrong but do NOT judge them !!  They have feelings just like you do no matter what !  They should NOT be tried an condemned but loved just like anyone else am spoken to of the Father in Heaven , that is all WE should do !
Never shall we come to a consensus no matter how much we might like to do so. But, by my own free will I say to you all that I love you as the Master has told us we should do!
God created each n every person on this earth. He will be the one in the end to decide our fate. Just because a gene hasnt been discovered yet to understand a persons sexual behavior doesnt mean it doesnt exist. Studies are ongoing n things are learned all the time.  Personally I have known children who showed in early child hood either masculine or feminine preferences n werent knowledgeable about such preferences. It was the way God created them. If we could all get past being judge n jury n many times bringing terrible pain to such a person n instead be kind n understanding this world would be much more peaceful. The bible is our road map but one needs to consider the complete bible n not just a verse alone. No I'm not a religious nut, just an humble person who knows God n live each day trying to earn the reward of being with my Lord n saviour when this earthly life ends. Please try to be less judgemental of negative n look at the good qualities n life will be so much rosier. Peace n Love to all.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

-- Declaration of Independence
ALL women are created equal, too.
Jesus was in his 30's, single and hung out with men only.....sounds gay to me!
Jesus has two dads and he turned out okay.
It's not a gene thing then what is it? I'm worried about my son, I want to figure out a way to help him out.
Xq28 was identified back in the 80’s:) I don’t know the specifics of the study but it was determined to be located on the X chromosome.
Yes, lets have compassion for the parents and siblings who are having a hard time understanding, what I don't think anyone really does. Choice or genetics, I don't know. It is a very hard and tender subject for those of us who truly don't understand.
I have to wonder why those who are anti-gay are responding to this site.  Their responses are pretty horrible.  Those who tout the Bible and are supposedly Christian yet show so little tolerance and so much hate doesn't say much for their Religion.  I happen to know that there are a lot of Christians (including myself)  who have no problem accepting the fact that there are gay people and the fact that being gay is not a personal decision 99.9% of the time.  It is your right to believe what you want to believe, what is not your right is to spread your intolerance and your hate.
Me thinks you are overreacting.
Jesus preach love not hate.  Love thy enemy and keen them close.

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