Dr. Francis S. Collins
Posted on 03/16/2007 7:15:39 AM PDT by scripter
[Title slightly abbreviated to fit]
Francis S. Collins, one of the world's leading scientists who works at the cutting edge of DNA research, concluded that "there is an inescapable component of heritability to many human behavioral traits." However, he adds, "for virtually none of them, is heredity ever close to predictive."
Dr. Francis S. Collins |
The heritability estimates for personality traits were varied: General Cognitive Ability (50%), Extroversion (54%), Agreeableness (42%), Conscientiousness (49%), Neuroticism (48%), Openness (57%), Aggression (38%) and Traditionalism (54%).
Such estimates of heritability are based upon unbiased, careful analyses of studies conducted with identical twins. The studies lead to the conclusion that heredity is important in many of these personality traits. It is important however, to note that even in such studies with identical twins, that heritability is not to be confused as inevitability.
As Dr. Collins would agree, environment can influence gene expression, and free will determines the response to whatever predispositions might be present.
Dr. Collins succinctly reviewed the research on homosexuality and offers the following:
"An area of particularly strong public interest is the genetic basis of homosexuality. Evidence from twin studies does in fact support the conclusion that heritable factors play a role in male homosexuality. However, the likelihood that the identical twin of a homosexual male will also be gay is about 20% (compared with 2-4 percent of males in the general population), indicating that sexual orientation is genetically influenced but not hardwired by DNA, and that whatever genes are involved represent predispositions, not predeterminations [emphasis added]."
The heritability estimates for homosexuality is substantially lower than General Cognitive Ability, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness, Aggression and Traditionalism!
Dr. Collins noted that environment--particularly childhood experiences--as well as the role of free will and choice affect us all in profound ways. As researchers discover increasing levels of molecular detail about inherited factors that underlie our personalities, it's critical that such data be used to illuminate the issues, not provide support to ideologues.
Citing such dangers, Dr. Collins referred to the book written by activist Dean Hamer, who declared the discovery of the "God gene" (this same author also is associated with "discovering the gay gene").
Dr. Collins noted that the "evidence" in Hamer's book "grabbed headlines," but was "wildly overstated."
A reviewer in Scientific American suggested that Hamer's book on the "God gene" should have been titled, "A Gene That Accounts for Less than One Percent of the Variance Found in Scores on Psychological Questionnaires Designed to Measure a Factor Called Self-Transcendence, Which Can Signify Everything from Belonging to the Green Party to Believing in ESP, According to One Unpublished, Unreplicated Study."
Unfortunately, much of the research in areas such as homosexuality has been misrepresented; not only in the media, but also by the scientists themselves through a tendency to overestimate the quantitative contribution of their findings.
Regarding the contributions of genetics to areas such as homosexuality, Dr. Collins concluded, "Yes, we have all been dealt a particular set of cards, and the cards will eventually be revealed. But how we play the hand is up to us."
I agree.
Reference:
Collins, Francis S. (2006). The Language of God, A Scientist Presents Evidence For Belief. New York: Free Press.
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Manbearping!
I have heard about the study of twins ad infinitum, and this is the first refutation of that study by an actual Scientist
This guy will have the Gaystapo at his door.
This is one of those duh issues. How many generations would such a gene last?
This guy will have the Gaystapo at his door.
That says more than most realize.
I think Collins' statement probably carries more weight with some folks, but many have refuted the twins studies, including homosexual scientists. Check this out: The Importance of Twin Studies
Another inconvenient truth for the left.
Just pray the gay away!
This is a false conclusion in and of itself, the higher incidence could just as likely be due to environmental influences (which are highly shared among identical twins during their formative years, as genetic) To say this indicates defacto a genetic influence is an utterly false assumption.
Homosexuality, particularly male homosexuality is not a birth defect, its a mental disorder.
No doubt. They did the same to Robert Spitzer when he admitted homosexuals could leave the lifestyle. Check out: Spitzer Forced to Cancel Appearance to Discuss His Ex-'Gay' Study
This guy will have the Gaystapo at his door.
No doubt. They did the same to Robert Spitzer when he admitted homosexuals could leave the lifestyle. Check out: Spitzer Forced to Cancel Appearance to Discuss His Ex-'Gay' Study
When I first started studying this subject (years ago) I didn't think that was true. But after reading story after story after story from ex-gays, I have come to the conclusion, well I came to it a long time ago, that some homosexuals know exactly how to prey on vulnerable boys.
Some people learn to be gay. We've all met them. That's just the way it is.
Indeed. When discussing the facts of homosexuals, homosexuality and the homosexual agenda pushed by radicals, the left have nothing to stand on.
They may be referring to linkage and association. Checkout the summary to Satinover's The Gay Gene?.
Yet not a single credible scientist agrees with the above statement. In fact science, including the posted article, is quite hostile to the born gay argument.
Just pray the gay away!
That is kind of cute in a way.
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