NOTE: The writing below is not intended to prove whether homosexuality is right or wrong. It is only intended to provide another look regarding the beginnings of homosexuality.
Born that way?
Some believe that homosexuality is inherited through genes. Although this theory has not been proven, it is probably safe to say that most, but not all, homosexuals would agree. However, whether or not this is the only upbringing of homosexuality (meaning one does not have a choice), is where there is a larger difference in opinion. Not going as far to say that there isn’t any truth to genetic influence on homosexuality; however scientists have never been able to tell a child’s sexual orientation before birth or prove that genetics are the underlining factor— A few examples:
Let’s take a study done in 1991 by Simon Levay who is a homosexual, British neuroscientist. Levay studied the difference in brain structure with INAH-3 between gay and straight men. Even though he found a slight difference, he stated in his notes that he did not find that being gay was purely genetic. Why would a difference in brain structure not prove that homosexuality was genetic?
In 2014, the Family Research Institute analyzed his data, “The key issue in the LeVay study is not whether INAH-3 is, in fact, smaller in homosexual men than in heterosexual men, but whether INAH-3 has anything at all to do with sexual function, let alone sexual orientation. Until and unless this is “nailed down,” talk about cause/effect [e.g., does INAH-3 affect sexual orientation or does sexual orientation cause changes in INAH-3?] is just so much groundless speculation. (You can access this information here.)
Also, multiple studies were done on identical twins to determine whether homosexuality is inherited through genes, since identical twins have identical DNA. In 1991, J.M. Bailey and R.C. Pillard studies found that only 51% of homosexual twins had a co-twin that was also homosexual. Dr. Neil L. Whitehead, an anthropologist and research scientist said, “Because they have identical DNA, it ought to be 100%,” (You can access this information here.) Also, twins are the same age and are generally raised in the same home. Therefore, they have similar developing experiences and influences. This may be the reason that the percentage is 51%.
To conclude, are humans born homosexual or heterosexual? Research, despite scientific efforts, has pointed toward no.
Is sexual preference influenced by genetics? It definitely is, at least, a minor factor. Just as people can have a genetic predisposition to cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mental illness, I believe they can have a genetic predisposition toward sexual preference. Not meaning that someone will be homosexual or heterosexual, just that their genetics can be an influence.
This is my address.
Born that way?
Some believe that homosexuality is inherited through genes. Although this theory has not been proven, it is probably safe to say that most, but not all, homosexuals would agree. However, whether or not this is the only upbringing of homosexuality (meaning one does not have a choice), is where there is a larger difference in opinion. Not going as far to say that there isn’t any truth to genetic influence on homosexuality; however scientists have never been able to tell a child’s sexual orientation before birth or prove that genetics are the underlining factor— A few examples:
Let’s take a study done in 1991 by Simon Levay who is a homosexual, British neuroscientist. Levay studied the difference in brain structure with INAH-3 between gay and straight men. Even though he found a slight difference, he stated in his notes that he did not find that being gay was purely genetic. Why would a difference in brain structure not prove that homosexuality was genetic?
In 2014, the Family Research Institute analyzed his data, “The key issue in the LeVay study is not whether INAH-3 is, in fact, smaller in homosexual men than in heterosexual men, but whether INAH-3 has anything at all to do with sexual function, let alone sexual orientation. Until and unless this is “nailed down,” talk about cause/effect [e.g., does INAH-3 affect sexual orientation or does sexual orientation cause changes in INAH-3?] is just so much groundless speculation. (You can access this information here.)
Also, multiple studies were done on identical twins to determine whether homosexuality is inherited through genes, since identical twins have identical DNA. In 1991, J.M. Bailey and R.C. Pillard studies found that only 51% of homosexual twins had a co-twin that was also homosexual. Dr. Neil L. Whitehead, an anthropologist and research scientist said, “Because they have identical DNA, it ought to be 100%,” (You can access this information here.) Also, twins are the same age and are generally raised in the same home. Therefore, they have similar developing experiences and influences. This may be the reason that the percentage is 51%.
To conclude, are humans born homosexual or heterosexual? Research, despite scientific efforts, has pointed toward no.
Is sexual preference influenced by genetics? It definitely is, at least, a minor factor. Just as people can have a genetic predisposition to cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mental illness, I believe they can have a genetic predisposition toward sexual preference. Not meaning that someone will be homosexual or heterosexual, just that their genetics can be an influence.
This is my address.