Scientists trace homosexuality to complicated, not yet fully understood genetic mechanism.

[DetlefK]

https://theconversation.com/the-science-behind-a-more-meaningful-understanding-of-sexual-orientation-42641

Evidence points towards the existence of a complex interaction between genes and environment, which are responsible for the heritable nature of sexual orientation.

These findings are part of a report released by the Academy of Science South Africa. The report is the outcome of work conducted by a panel put together in 2014 to evaluate all research on the subject of sexual orientation done over the last 50 years.

...

The academy looked at several scientific studies with different focus areas that have all provided converging findings. These include family and twin studies. The studies have shown that homosexuality has both a heritable and an environmental component.

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However, the extent of the inheritance between twins was lower than expected. These findings contribute to the notion that although homosexuality can be inherited, this does not occur according to the rules of classical genetics. Rather, it occurs through another mechanism, known as epigenetics.

Epigenetics relates to the influence of environmental factors on genes, either in the uterus or after birth. The field of epigenetics was developed after new methods were found that identify the molecular mechanisms (epi-marks) that mediate the effect of the environment on gene expression.

Epi-marks are usually erased from generation to generation. But under certain circumstances, they may be passed on to the next generation.

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This suggests that a region on the X-chromosome may be implicated in determining sexual orientation. The epigenetics hypothesis suggests that one develops a predisposition to homosexuality by inheriting these epi-marks across generations.

External environmental factors such as medicinal drugs, chemicals, toxic compounds, pesticides and substances such as plasticisers can also have an impact on DNA by creating epi-marks.

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The academy found that a multitude of scientific studies have shown sexual orientation is biologically determined. There is not a single gene or environmental factor that is responsible for this – but rather a set of complex interactions between the two that determines one’s sexual orientation.

However, more evidence is leading investigators to a specific region on the X-chromosome, and possibly a region on another chromosome.

The identification of these chromosomal regions does not imply that homosexuality is a disorder – nor does it imply that there are mutations in the genes in these regions, which still remain to be identified. Rather, for the first time, it suggests that there is a specific region on a chromosome that determines sexual orientation.

Although research has not yet found what the precise mechanisms are that determine sexual orientation – which may be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or asexual – the answers are likely to come to the fore through continued research. These findings will be important for the field of genetics and, more importantly, for those attracted to others of the same sex and society as a whole.

[Raster]

1. Straight, Lesbian, Bi and Gay ALL ARE GOOD...

[font size=6]...'CAUSE WE WERE BORN THIS WAY!

[Warpy]

2. In other words, innate, not chosen

which is something any of us with gay and lesbian friends and family members already knew.

It's interesting that it doesn't seem to be a mutation of any sort, either, and probably relies on other processes that have been put forth like maternal hormonal environment in utero, something under no one's control.

Unfortunately, this won't stop patriarchal religious screwballs from screeching. Nothing will stop that except enforced antipsychotic drugs and I don't think we're quite ready for that.

[safeinOhio]

3. Across all time

and all cultures.

That explains it .

[gay texan]

4. and yet no matter how much proof there is

There will always be a group of people that believe that a mythical deity in a bronze age book that will say it's a "lifestyle choice"


fuck them....

I knew from the age of four I was attracted to men.

[lambchopp59]

5. Both my older brothers observed my same sex attraction from the time I was a baby

And they were right. I always had a "thing" for other men that just doesn't trigger strongly near females.
99.8 of gay and lesbians will agree, we were born this way, but convincing those of the religious sort that same sex attraction to me flows every bit as naturally as it appears to be for hetero's results in astounding denial.
I believe the other 0.2 percent probably are dashing in and out of a closet somewhere, confused by the religious rhetoric.
The most clever comeback to the "it's a choice" goofballs is "So when did you choose to be straight?". Watch them writhe.