Did you say brothas?
Posted on 05/26/2006 12:40:46 PM PDT by DBeers
Researchers are attempting to discover a genetic linkage to sexual orientation by studying one thousand pairs of gay brothers. This five-year study being conducted by researchers from Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago will be the largest study of this kind and is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
This study follows a similar genetic study, conducted in the 1990s that found some genetic correlation for sexual orientation.
That original study was conducted with 40 pairs of brothers and revealed evidence that there might be a linkage. When subsequent research couldn't replicate these findings, the scientists realized that they weren't working with a large enough sample size to provide the statistical power required to advance the research.
Previous twin studies have pointed to evidence that the linkage is due to heredity rather than environmental factors, but until the researches can isolate the genes that directly affect sexual orientation, they can't be sure.
"Family studies tell you that something is familial, that things tend to cluster in families," says Dr. Alan Sanders, MD who heads the gay brothers research study. "Then we ask what else tends to cluster in families. Genes do."
There is not a lot of research in this area but, like most genetic research, it is controversial.
"Genetics is controversial, says Sanders. "And specifically sexuality research, but this is where there is a great deal of interest."
"Folks don't like this kind of research, that shows that sexual orientation is genetically based," he says. "It undermines the argument that it is a choice."
If they find a genetic link for sexual orientation, then the argument goes, you don't blame people because they have blue eyes, why would you blame them for their sexual orientation? This kind of research undermines the choice argument and that bothers some groups who are out to prove that sexual orientation is something one chooses.
The genetics that Sanders and his colleagues believe is responsible for sexual orientation is complex genetics where multiple genes and environmental factors contribute to the trait, as in the case with intelligence.
"Some folks might have enough of a genetic contribution that they are going to be very intelligent no matter what, others might have a better chance, but it will depend on key things in the environment," he says. "That's the way a lot of things are that we study,"
Researchers also say they believe that more than one gene is responsible, rather than a one-to-one correlation - as in heredity - for something like eye color.
"Genes do more than one thing," says Sanders. "They have more than one function. Maybe the gene that contributes to sexual orientation does something else as well."
He says each gene contributes a varying amount to each trait. This is especially true for behavioral traits and personality traits such as novelty seeking, aggression or violence. Not just one gene is involved.
Sanders says the biggest challenge with this kind of research is finding the one thousand pairs of gay brothers. He and his colleagues have been searching for participants for several years and have recently beefed up their recruiting efforts and expanded the search worldwide.
Participation is simple. Interested participants are first asked to fill out a brief questionnaire. Then, they submit a blood sample or DNA saliva test. "That's the hardest part, the thing that requires the most effort is having blood drawn," he says. "We're hoping to switch, to DNA samples from saliva soon. That should help out."
All information obtained from participants will be kept confidential and will not become part of any medical records Sanders says.
"We've done a study of 1,000 gay brothers and found that brothers who are gay tend to be gay and have gay brothers as well"
Can gay incestuous twins get married in Massachussetts?
it would take at least 6 months to post all the one-liners for this crap
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It doesn't undermine the fact that there is a choice, however. Homosexuals can still choose to be celibate.
It doesn't matter if it is one pair or a thousand. The researchers will conclude only what they want to conclude.
It's also responsible for lisps, zig zag finger snaps and head bobs.
Well, I've done a 'lifetime' of study and find that hetero folks usually rear hetero kids! LOL.....
If they find a genetic link for sexual orientation, then the argument goes, you don't blame people because they have blue eyes, why would you blame them for their sexual orientation? This kind of research undermines the choice argument and that bothers some groups who are out to prove that sexual orientation is something one chooses.
Just recovering from lesbian brain theory -and now this on the horizon?
It is but more severely flawed research with only ambiguous results possible coming our way eventually to be AP headlined as definitive.
Only those subjectively driving an agenda and not objective scientists rush in like this putting the cart before the horse. Before one can objectively link anything to "orientation" one must first objectively be able to identify orientation...
*****Well, I've done a 'lifetime' of study and find that hetero folks usually rear hetero kids! LOL.....*****
And homosexual folks usually rear...ummm...no, too easy...
..ummm...no, too easy...----Not easy for them to "make'em"
I know 2 gay brothers--but they're twins--for what it's worth
My question is how do they separate the nature from the nurture in this scenario. Two brothers may have the same genetice code, but they also share the same environmental forces that might steer them towards homosexuality.
D. Who is NOT eligible to volunteer for the study?Identical (monozygotic) twins are not eligible since it is already known that their DNA (genetic material) is the same. However, we know of other researchers studying identical twins; if such a family is interested in potentially participating in a twin study, we can provide researcher contact information. Individuals below the age of 18 are not eligible due to more uncertainty as to their actual sexual orientation as adults.
It would appear this study is ALL about subjective behavioral psychology and has NOTHING to do with objective physical science...
IOW they are already assuming the end result and thus have tained the study.
This is bogus even before it starts. It must be in anticipation of another round of homosexual based marriage votes.
Next we have the FR gene.
well no, i was just gonna say, the only people they rear is each other.
Entire Department of Health and Human Services could be scrapped as far as I am concerned.
Did you say brothas?
Yeah, a better test (to the extent there is ANY validity here, which is a big question) might be to test gay and straight brothers.
I actually know of a family of 9 brothers, 2 of whom ended up gay. One of the two is dead of HIV, though.
Messed up home life, though. Mother was a real domineering witch. Father very weak.
Good God! Taxpayers money at work?
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