Does a Gene Determine Whether You are Hetero or Homosexual?
Okay, this is not my usual subject matter. But, I stumbled across some intriguing stuff and I just couldn’t leave it alone.
So, here is the gist. A healthcare institute and several universities decided to do a study on (get ready) gay brothers. They wanted to know whether the reason the brothers were gay was psychological or physiological.
Here is one of the givens one of the chief investigators, Alan R. Sanders, MD postulated.
“Sexual orientation is a fundamental trait of great scientific interest. Understanding the origins of sexual orientation will enable us to learn a great deal about sexual motivation, sexual identity, and gender identity and sex differences.”
He further states,
“Earlier studies suggest that homosexual orientation runs in families; 8 to 12% of brothers of gay men are also gay, compared to 2 to 4% of men in the general population. Twin studies suggest that this pattern is largely due to heredity rather than environment, but we cannot be sure of this unless we actually located genes that affect sexual orientation.
Our study will look for genes that may influence some brothers to become homosexual, as well as those genes that may influence other brothers to become heterosexual.”
So, what’s the point? I guess basically, I’m interested in why they want to know. Are they building a genomic “gaydar” to detect homosexuality in vitro? If so, is there a gene therapy to “ungay” the fetus? What is the point, really?
When I served in the military no one was interested in your sexuality, other than they would really prefer if you had none at all. Yes, I know that was primitive and inconsiderate of us. But, consider the next series of enlightened attitudes. We went from a Neanderthal ignorance, to a progressive “don’t ask don’t tell” (remember that disaster?) to a truly advanced philosophy of, “No comment.”
Again, I say, “What’s all the hubbub, bub?” I distinctly remember thinking in my unmarried youth, “gay guys = less competitionon = more girls for me.”
Since then I have become a little more sophisticated. But, not much. Let’s face it; I’m from
One of the staff members at a facility I work came to me with the following scenario.
“My gay friend is getting married. Should I go to the ceremony, even though I am against same sex marriage?”
Well, I only had to ask one question to solve this dilemma. “Are they serving salmon or chicken at the reception?”
No, seriously. I had to ask her if she was planning to tell her friend why she would not attend the wedding.
She replied that she didn’t feel it was her place to make such a value judgment.
??????
For some reason people don’t seem to get that everything we do and say is a value judgment of one kind or another. The key is; are you willing to take a stand for your values?
Another situation I ran into took place a few years ago when I was working in corrections. Now, people will tell you that homosexual activity is rampant in the correctional system. I worked several years in corrections, and if it is, it is kept very close to the down low ( pun intended).
However, I do remember in processing one young man who was a self professed homosexual. He referred to himself as “Peaches.” The other residents in the facility referred to him as “Peaches.” The officer who transported him in, referred to him as “Peaches.”
The majority of the population went to great pains to display that they held no truck with the young mans’ “situation.” It was difficult to find him sleeping accommodations, or a place in the dining hall, because none of the other “residents” wished to get very close to him. I was extremely amused when one day after several minor related altercations he stood up and made the following announcement.
“Gay is not catching, and I don’t want any of you sweaty guys anyway.”
Apparently, he was willing to take a stand.
So, what is my point? I guess I’m saying it is pretty arrogant to think you can analyze a person based on his genetic code. And, even if you can, what is the point if you are not going to take a stand?
My personal opinion that identification of the gene (if it exists) is a complete waste of time unless you have a purpose for identifying it. What is the point of Dr. X saying, “Look, that fetus has the gay gene.” Dr. Y saying, “Yep, sure is.”? None, unless you’re planning to DO SOMETHING with the information.