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.
It means that people are not born wanting to sex and spend the rest of their life with someone who is the same sex as they are. They are fooled into it by someone who molests them and is doing the Devils work. I assumed you were talking about effeminate personalities in boys and men when you made your comment that I responded to. You can't just get away with saying "that's just the way it is" and not back up the lame point you were trying to make.
I honestly never understood the fixation on this issue. It's sometimes phrased as 'nature or nurture' in regards to the trait.
Some folks have a lot emotionally invested in the 'nature,' but that always seemed strange and misplaced to me. That something is 'natural' isn't really all that important, nor does it validate anything.
I once had this discussion with a very passionate liberal female lawyer I used to work with. After she went on about the importance of the natural aspect. When she was done, I raised the issue of men, women, and sexual instinct. Specifically, it's perfectly 'natural' for a male to see a female, get an instinctive sexual reaction, chase her down, tackler her to the ground, and force sex upon her.
That's how it works in much of the animal kingdom. That's how primitive humans probably did it. It's perfectly 'natural' but that's not to say it's desirable or good conduct, particularly in a civilized society. She raised the objection that my example didn't factor in the female's consent.
Of course, I reminded her that there's nothing particularly natural about consent, either. While sometimes in nature the female does exhibit a willingness to mate, that's certainly not the exclusive mandate at all. She got very upset at all of this talk, but I reminded her that it was she who raised the importance and significance of 'nature' in these discussions. My personal position is that 'nature' in itself doesn't validate anything, necessarily. She got more upset and left.
Not too bright, that one. Strong self esteem, though.
It seems as if you didn't really read my last post to you. I think it's worth my time to point out the facts to help the current and next generation. Nobody is born gay.
I used to think it wasn't as complicated as it is, but
same-sex attraction is really quite complicated. No one gene is going to cause same-sex attraction. The experts have been saying for years that environment is the major factor. Other minor factors or traits might be considered gifts, if I may.
Well said. Brief and yet speaks volumes of Truth.
You are quite welcome. Thanks for bumping it as more and more folks need to read what Dr. Collins has said.
Apparently it's a never ending job as some people refuse to recognize what science actually says on the matter.
lol
I believe it's the radicals pushing the homosexual agenda that have given the nature part of homosexuality so much time in the spotlight. When you include this misinformation with GLSEN you get children experimenting with homosexual behavior. That's a really bad idea and needs to be exposed for what it is.
I don't need to prove a negative. You're the one who made the absurd claim.
Number one cause behind homosexual child abuse/rape from older peers/adults.
Perhaps you forgot the absurd claim you made in post 16. Here it is:
Some people are born gay. We've all met them. That's just the way it is.This is the second time I've asked you to support your statement. So go ahead and reference a credible scientist that supports your statement.
The problem is you can't. You know it and I know it, and now everybody knows it.
So what are you going to do next? Run away or post some obfuscation? Those are your only options because there's absolutely no evidence to support your claim.
That's only true for those interested in honest discussion. When someone like Psycho_Bunny makes pro-gay statements they don't expect to be asked to support their statements.
What I really love about FreeRepublic is they take a no-nonsense approach to conservative issues. It must really suck to be Psycho_Bunny and have their pro-gay arguments trashed over and over, all the while looking foolish posting lol as their only response.
The head of the Human Genome Project says "Homosexuality is not hardwired." In further reading the article one would quickly realize environment is key.
It will be interesting to hear what the radicals pushing the homosexual agenda have to say in regards to Dr. Collins' statements.
I agree with you. Attraction is chemical and theirs lots of science on that.
Indeed. I finally found what I was looking for: Queer By Choice. Some admit to choosing the gay lifestyle...
Dude...my point is this... I'd rather whom ever is studying this gay stuff spend my tax dollars on something like heart disease...diabetes or something that actually matters in the grand scheme of things. My "position" based on what I've read is that these scientists don't know enough about this stuff to form any concrete conclusions....and if they did know.... who the hell cares. If you are young kid and dumb / gullible enough to be "talked into" liking other dudes... you've apparently got some wiring messed up somewhere in the old noggin. Having said that the older person should be arrested for some sort of sexual crime.
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