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Homosexuality is not biologically determined - latest research.
On Line opinion ^ | June 08, 2004 | Dr David van Gend

Posted on 06/25/2004 7:32:18 AM PDT by scripter

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To: scripter
The author equates "born that way" with "genetic." (Which is what "specific biological etiology" means.) And that is not what I'm saying.

"Genetics" isn't the only way one can be "born that way." It can be a personality trait -- a predisposition to be attracted to persons of the same sex.

If you've got more than one kid, you already know about how many personality traits are things we're born with. Many kids' personality traits are evident from the get-go. (For my daughter, her temper was even evident in utero)... ;-)

I have known enough kids who grew up to be homosexual, and known enough people with homosexual siblings, to understand that in some cases there really was an element of "always been that way." It's too bad -- it's a disorder -- but I believe they really were "born that way."

The author of this piece is trying to get us to buy off on a purely environmental model, which is not believable. In fact, it would appear to be furthering his political agenda -- which he most assuredly has.

61 posted on 06/25/2004 8:51:18 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: scripter

To Be Queer, as Folk, to be a tranny, is to be as the freak is, not normal, as compared to the standards of a civilized
World, thus the word Queer, as they call themselves.

I call them pillars of salt, or, worshippers of Baal, or citizens of the new Gomorah.

I do not want to be looking back at that picture, let alone to be one of its acceptance, in any way.

Ops4 God Bless America!


62 posted on 06/25/2004 8:52:47 AM PDT by OPS4
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To: searchandrecovery
I think there's a genetic component to gay behavior - not the only explanation - but part of the puzzle.

That's where I am with it.

63 posted on 06/25/2004 8:54:33 AM PDT by evad (What's BAD for democRATs is GOOD for America)
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To: robertpaulsen
If homosexuality were genetic, wouldn't it have died out thousands of years ago? How would true genetically-based homosexuals have procreated over the years?

I don't believe homosexuality is genetic. But if it were genetic, there are two possible explanations for how it could survive genetically.

One is "kin selection". This theory is that because homosexuals do not have their own children, they're free to make other contributions to the clan. Since everyone shares 50% of their genes with their siblings, if a homosexual helps their siblings' children survive to reproductive age, he would actually be propagating his own genes -- including his genes for homosexuality.

Another theory is that homosexuality is a peculiar occasional manifestation of another gene that normally has nothing to do with homosexuality, but which normally increases a person's chances of reproduction. There are genetic diseases that you only get if you have two copies of the defective gene, but if you have one copy of the defective gene, you actually are more likely to survive. For example, researchers believe that one copy of the gene for Tay-Sachs disease makes you more resistant to tuberculosis.

Why do I not believe homosexuality is genetic? Partly because the scientific studies asserting it's genetic haven't been replicated. Partly because a study involving identical twins indicated a 50% linkage (if you're a gay man with an identical twin brother, there's a 50% chance he's also gay) -- this shows a strong genetic component but clearly genes aren't controlling. But one big reason I don't believe in a genetic cause is that the alternative psychological theories (early sexual trauma, absent father, etc.) are more predictive of homosexuality. For example, a study showed that 75% of boys identified as sissies became gay men in adulthood. Also, I have read that youngest brothers are more likely to turn out gay.

64 posted on 06/25/2004 8:56:05 AM PDT by megatherium
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To: evad
So, do you think it's entirely behavioral?

I'm not sure I understand the question.

65 posted on 06/25/2004 9:03:39 AM PDT by Skooz (My Biography: Psalm 40:1-3)
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To: evad
So, do you think it's entirely behavioral?

I'm not sure I understand the question.

66 posted on 06/25/2004 9:03:40 AM PDT by Skooz (My Biography: Psalm 40:1-3)
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To: Old Professer

Now now.


67 posted on 06/25/2004 9:09:07 AM PDT by diamond6
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To: scripter

Well then, that would make it "scientific" that some queers are Normalphobes. And Queerisity is an unusual reaction to normal behavior and an alternate groinoistic option. If not just a simple sexual identity disorder..


68 posted on 06/25/2004 9:19:25 AM PDT by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole....)
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To: thackney
Are these twins "Identical Twins" or "Fraternal Twins"?

I would guess (after googling fraternal twin to mean "non-identical") that they were identical, but I don't know for sure. I myself could tell them apart after a year maybe. And then around age 11 or 12 one got a cheek cut (snowshoveling mishap) that pretty much ended the identical part.

Other facts of the case - I can't remember the mother or father treating them any differently. And after high school I lost touch with them - it would be intersting to see what happened, though.

69 posted on 06/25/2004 9:24:36 AM PDT by searchandrecovery (Socialist America - diseased and dysfunctional.)
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To: searchandrecovery
"First, genetic mutation/problems/diseases occur all the time throughout nature. These haven't "died out" over history."

True. Genetic mutation/problems/diseases do pop up. Let's take something similar -- alcoholism. It is also questioned as to having a genetic component along with an environmental cause. Plus, you can do your same identical/fraternal twin studies.

If alcoholics did not breed, therefore, there would be even less occurrences than there are now. So, eliminating the possible genetic component completely will not stop the mutation, only reduce the occurrence.

Alcoholism, like homosexuality or pedophilia, may be "genetic" in the sense that a person, randomly, may be predisposed to that behavior. That doesn't mean that you have to drink -- one can decide to quit.

70 posted on 06/25/2004 9:37:14 AM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: evad
Are you saying that homosexuality is like a mental illness or is a mental illness?

Yes.

71 posted on 06/25/2004 9:40:56 AM PDT by ElkGroveDan (If you can read this, thank a teacher....and since it's in English, thank a soldier)
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To: evad

Good article. I've postulated some of that reasoning myself over the years. It really fits some of the gays I have known.


72 posted on 06/25/2004 9:49:06 AM PDT by ElkGroveDan (If you can read this, thank a teacher....and since it's in English, thank a soldier)
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To: All; scripter

And homosexuality was considered a mental illness until 1973. That's when homosexual activism was able to have it removed as a mental illness. It certainly wasn't science that lead to the change.


For documentation of homosexual activism in both the APA's, see the following replies in scripter's "Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Revision 1.1)" thread:

American Psychological Association: 121, 240 and 242.

American Psychiatric Association: 46, 139, 213, 232, 237, 239, 241, 243, and 246.


For documentation of homosexual activism in American Academy of Pediatrics, see reply 284

73 posted on 06/25/2004 9:50:59 AM PDT by EdReform (Support Free Republic - All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!)
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To: Ancesthntr
While I believe that homosexuals suffer from a mental disorder, this is absolutely no reason to deny them any rights (nor is it a reason to give them special privileges).

Great post. I selected this section to quote because it hits two critical areas: The mental disorder of homosexuality and basic rights.

I've read many articles on the subject and somtimes say things that others infer as hatred toward homosexuals. It's my compassion that drives me here, not hatred.

Homosexuals suffer from a mental disorder and need help. They're also human beings that have basic rights just like the rest of us. But rights based on sexual behavior would be special rights, and rights homosexuals would lose once they became ex-homosexual.

74 posted on 06/25/2004 9:56:12 AM PDT by scripter (Thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: scripter

Thanks.


75 posted on 06/25/2004 9:56:41 AM PDT by cvq3842
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To: EdReform

Thanks, ER. Excellent. I've saved that post in html format so it's much easier to find and repost.


76 posted on 06/25/2004 9:59:29 AM PDT by scripter (Thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: evad
I think you will find the information EdReform has put together in post 73 very informative. It documents the mental disorder aspect of homosexuality over the past 31 years.
77 posted on 06/25/2004 10:04:32 AM PDT by scripter (Thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: ElkGroveDan; scripter

I promise you the assault on Spitzer's character and mental faculties will soon begin. They will call him senile, they will say he has become a tool of the religious right, that he's been brainwashed, or financially corrupted, or whatever.


Actually the assault began three years ago and continues today, as documented here (see the last two paragraphs in that document).

78 posted on 06/25/2004 10:06:57 AM PDT by EdReform (Support Free Republic - All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!)
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To: robertpaulsen
Let's take something similar -- alcoholism.
Hold on while I get a beer.....ok, back.

It is also questioned as to having a genetic component along with an environmental cause.
Dad liked to drink vs. friends like to drink. Ok.

Plus, you can do your same identical/fraternal twin studies.
I gotta read up on that stuff - got any twin disease study links?

If alcoholics did not breed, therefore, there would be even less occurrences than there are now.
I think this is a bad example for you - alcohol actually encourages breeding in both males and females. I am still waiting for a class action lawsuit by unwed mothers against the makers of both Boone's Farm and MD20/20 for unwanted pregnancies. But I digress.

That doesn't mean that you have to drink -- one can decide to quit.
True. But one can't decide to either be a siamese twin or not.

In my defense, these are big huge issues that I don't completely understand from either a religious or scientific point of view - but I don't think anyone else does either.

79 posted on 06/25/2004 10:08:36 AM PDT by searchandrecovery (Socialist America - diseased and dysfunctional.)
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To: *Homosexual Agenda; EdReform; scripter; GrandMoM; backhoe; Yehuda; Clint N. Suhks; saradippity; ...

Homosexuality Agenda Ping - Don't have time to read this at the minute, but it looks good. Check it out.

Let me know (not Scripter - he's very busy!!) if you want on/off this pinglist.


80 posted on 06/25/2004 10:09:46 AM PDT by little jeremiah (http://www.mikegabbard.com - a REAL conservative running for Congress from Hawaii!)
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