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Is the Gay Gene a myth? Scientists say homosexuality impossible to determine by DNA
Christian News ^ | 07/23/2014 | Garrett Haley

Posted on 06/26/2014 7:09:25 PM PDT by NetAddicted

CHICAGO – The results of a comprehensive scientific study released earlier this year suggest that homosexuality cannot be directly traced to a ‘gay gene,’ but is instead dependent on a variety of factors, including environmental and social influences.

Pro-homosexual activists have long claimed that homosexuality and abnormal “sexual orientations” are primarily caused by genetic factors. They argue that individuals with a hereditary “gay gene” are predisposed toward same-sex attractions and thus unable to appreciate traditional marriages.

However, scientific findings released earlier this year during the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago call this premise into question. During the meeting, Michael Bailey of Northwestern University unveiled comprehensive research results which suggest that genetics alone do not determine “sexual orientation.”

In his research, Bailey and other scientists examined the DNA of 400 men who described themselves as homosexual. Ultimately, the researchers concluded that homosexuality cannot be traced to specific genes.

“The genes were neither sufficient, nor necessary, to make any of the men gay,” wrote Ian Sample, science correspondent for The Guardian.

The findings show that it is impossible to accurately predict a person’s sexual behavior by solely examining DNA.

“The flawed thinking behind a genetic test for sexual orientation is clear from studies of twins, which show that the identical twin of a gay man, who carries an exact replica of his brother’s DNA, is more likely to be straight than gay,” The Guardian article continues. “That means even a perfect genetic test that picked up every gene linked to sexual orientation would still be less effective than flipping a coin.”

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Alan Sanders, a Northwestern University professor who led the recent study, confirmed that the “gay gene” theory is largely unfounded.

“We don’t think genetics is the whole story,” Sanders stated, according to The Telegraph. “It’s not.”

Though the scientists maintained that genetics do at least partly influence sexual orientation, these recent findings undermine the belief that homosexuality is predetermined. Environmental factors, such as the absence of a father or an unhealthy domestic upbringing, might play significant roles.

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association says the scientific findings show that homosexual behavior is ultimately an individual choice.

“Without a genetic causation, sexual preference in behavior is clearly a choice, a choice which no one is compelled to make,” Fischer wrote in a column last week. “And that choice can be evaluated in any number of ways, including whether or not it is good for human health and whether or not same-sex households are sub-optimal nurturing environments for vulnerable young children.”

“If homosexual conduct is ultimately a matter of choice,” Fischer continued, “then the homosexual lobby has nothing, because homosexual conduct is clearly harmful to human beings in any number of ways, not the least of which is serving as the leading cause of HIV/AIDS, which can leave young men disease-ridden and destined for an early grave.”

“I am not persuaded that genes are even a contributing factor,” he added. “But even if they are, the great news is that if individuals are not biologically predetermined to pursue the homosexual lifestyle, then change is possible as a matter of scientific fact. This leads to one simple, salient truth: there is hope for the homosexual.”


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: genetics; homosexualagenda; homosexuality; scientists
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To: itssme
One of the reasons may be the greater vulnerability of males to psychological "imprinting", especially around the age of puberty. So if a young boy is exposed to homosexual abuse or imagery, he may develop an obsession or a fetish. The gay movement is ready and waiting with a whole cult of behavior and an entire vocabulary of nonsense about how certain behaviors are an "identity" or that one is "born that way" -- without one shred of biological proof.

Regardless of how one feels, behavior is a choice. Feelings can change. If a male has developed an obsesssion with a cult of behaviors that is troublesome to his life, he needs to deal with it spiritually and/or with therapy.

81 posted on 07/03/2014 8:28:55 AM PDT by Albion Wilde ("The commenters are plenty but the thinkers are few." -- Walid Shoebat)
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To: TexasGator
He is not returning my calls.

Something in your life is interfering with His signals.

82 posted on 07/03/2014 8:32:58 AM PDT by Albion Wilde ("The commenters are plenty but the thinkers are few." -- Walid Shoebat)
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To: itssme

Perhaps it would be more clear to look at sexual preference as a fetish, moreso than a fundamental “group identity”. We’re all blessed with a drive to engage in sex. Our species depends on it. That drive manifests in many millions of micro-influences, micro-decisions and reinforcements over a lifetime. People aren’t born with a fetish for feet or bondage or whips either. Over time and lots of various reinforcements those things become more prominent for them until its the only thing that pushes the right pleasure center. Those things change over time too.

For many, childhood trauma will change the course of their lives to the point where otherwise normal desires are unthinkable. An unpleasant experience teaches them to think in other directions instead. It’s not even necessary to be one major event, but a set of smaller influences, early enough in life that any clear memory is long gone and they will naturally believe that they have “always been this way”.


83 posted on 07/03/2014 8:33:53 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us one chance in three. More tea anyone?)
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To: Albion Wilde

“Something in your life is interfering with His signals. “

That would imply a poorly designed communication system.


84 posted on 07/03/2014 8:35:06 AM PDT by TexasGator
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To: TexasGator

No, it would imply a poorly maintained receiver.


85 posted on 07/03/2014 8:37:30 AM PDT by Albion Wilde ("The commenters are plenty but the thinkers are few." -- Walid Shoebat)
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To: NetAddicted

Every single brief to a judge should include these studies.

The judiciary (which are lawyers not scientists) has NO CLUE about real science. They are dependent on the FEEELINGS and feel good arguments of the plaintiffs and defendants.

Choice of this fetish puts homosexuals in the same class as those who have sex with animals, or other abnormal hedonistic tendencies.


86 posted on 07/03/2014 8:41:50 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: trisham

“Free will.”

Did God give Angels or the Devil Free Will?


87 posted on 07/03/2014 8:42:17 AM PDT by TexasGator
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To: Albion Wilde

“No, it would imply a poorly maintained receiver.”

You mean a poorly designed receiver.


88 posted on 07/03/2014 8:44:12 AM PDT by TexasGator
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To: TexasGator

Every living thing, including trees, etc, have ‘free will’. If you believe Angels and devils are alive then they too have ‘free will’. And don’t make the mistake of thinking insticnts cancel free will ... raccoon mommas can disprove that one real quickly.


89 posted on 07/03/2014 8:45:29 AM PDT by MHGinTN
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To: All

relying on religion in a court of law where marriage is on trial, special rights are being demanded based on fetish, or any other sex fetish demand is just conceding the entire cause to the left.

Remember this debate is NOT about sex it is about POWER. The power of government to determine what is normal, what is good/bad, and what is right or wrong. power.

This scientific study can be used to win the cases and demonstrate some choices are simply wrong. We do not allow human sacrifice even in the face of a religion, we do not allow animal sacrifice in cities, we outlaw a host of other fetish practices based on right and wrong.

Choice establishes the grounds for right/wrong in a court of law.


90 posted on 07/03/2014 8:50:32 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: NetAddicted

Myth involves some elements of truth or near truth.

Regarding a queer gene, there can be no partial truth. There is no gay gene therefore no myth.

The gay gene hoax is made up in whole cloth. The concept is a lie.


91 posted on 07/03/2014 8:51:32 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Obama is public enemy #1)
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To: TexasGator

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm

“Diabolus enim et alii dæmones a Deo quidem naturâ creati sunt boni, sed ipsi per se facti sunt mali.” (”the Devil and the other demons were created by God good in their nature but they by themselves have made themselves evil.”)


92 posted on 07/03/2014 9:04:31 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: TexasGator

No, I mean it is comparable to buying a new computer and having it work fine for awhile, but needing to buy an ant-virus program and have it swept for viruses constantly because evil people want to infect your computer; because things break down after use; because sin invades this world as the Lord has revealed through his prophets, and we need to invest in an anti-virus program and perform regular maintenance to keep the signal clear.

Your human body is comparable to a new computer. To attain full adulthood in the eyes of the Lord, you accept responsibility for your programming and maintenance issues, and recognizing that they are entirely up to you, you ask for His help, but must be willing to do as he recommends. He is your computer developer, Who designed the hardware and operating system.


93 posted on 07/03/2014 9:19:48 AM PDT by Albion Wilde ("The commenters are plenty but the thinkers are few." -- Walid Shoebat)
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To: TexasGator

Gotta go now for the holdiay. Back at you later if you want to keep talking. In the meantime (and all time), be blessed.


94 posted on 07/03/2014 9:24:53 AM PDT by Albion Wilde ("The commenters are plenty but the thinkers are few." -- Walid Shoebat)
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To: Misterioso

“Why can’t Christians accept the obvious: homosexuality is part of God’s plan. If it isn’t, why does it exist?”

I find it astounding that a 14 year freeper is so very devoid of logic. By your assertion, then God is a big fan of murder, rape, etc.

How did I beat your ZOT?


95 posted on 07/03/2014 10:00:54 AM PDT by CSM (Keeper of the Dave Ramsey Ping list. FReepmail me if you want your beeber stuned.)
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To: Misterioso
Why can’t Christians accept the obvious: homosexuality is part of God’s plan. If it isn’t, why does it exist?

Since God called for homosexuals to be killed in the OT, why do you think it was part of His plan? Do you also think murder, rape, pedophilia, etc., were part of His plan?

The reason these things exist is simple - sin. God gave Man free will, and ever since the lie the Serpent told Eve in the Garden, Man has been using that free will in ways that are in direct opposition to God's will.

96 posted on 07/03/2014 10:08:54 AM PDT by CA Conservative (Texan by birth, Californian by circumstance)
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To: CSM

I don’t necessarily agree with him, but I can see his logic.

He’s not saying that homosexuality is good. He’s saying that it exists, therefore there must be some reason for it.

So one way of looking at it is as a trial to see how homosexuals react to it in themselves, and how we, as Christians, react it in homosexuals. It could be a trial from God to test our worthiness, or conversely a lure from the devil.

In saying that, remember that a big tenet of Christianity is to hate the sin, but love the sinner. Which in this case applies to how we approach and deal with homosexuals, NOT that we approve of their behavior.


97 posted on 07/03/2014 10:14:16 AM PDT by tanknetter
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To: Misterioso
Bank robbery exists.

Child abuse exists.

Elder abuse exists.

Rape exists.

Polygamy exists.

Adultery exists.

Fornication exists.

Do YOU really think any or all of these are "part of God's plan" in our time, if ever? If any of these play a role in God's plan, it would seem that the plan is to stamp them out along with the intrinsically disordered homosexual perversion.

98 posted on 07/03/2014 10:18:02 AM PDT by BlackElk (Dean of Discipline, Tomas de Torquemada Gentlemen's Society: Rack 'em Danno!)
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To: BlackElk

If anything the “Intrinsically disordered” meme is too polite and too weak. It’s like talking about a problem with bullet holes without reference to a shooter.


99 posted on 07/03/2014 10:21:54 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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To: tanknetter

That is pretty perceptive, I believe.

God has purposes with respect to evil that the devil does not have.

Since God can guarantee a complete salvation, nobody needs to be discouraged by the presence of tenacious evil.


100 posted on 07/03/2014 10:23:50 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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