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kpete

(72,748 posts)
Thu Jun 14, 2012, 10:01 AM Jun 2012

Male Homosexuality Study: Gay Men Have Evolutionary Benefit For Their Families-New Research Suggests

Male Homosexuality Study: Gay Men Have Evolutionary Benefit For Their Families, New Research Suggests

STUDY: Male Homosexuality Has Strong Genetic Basis Offset By Increased Female Fertility
By Zack Ford on Jun 14, 2012 at 9:50 am

Italian researchers have made a new discovery that solidifies the understand that homosexuality — at least in men — has a strong genetic component. Though this study does not identify a specific gay gene, which probably does not exist, it does demonstrate what role genetics play.

Andrea Camperio Ciani at the University of Padova discovered that the mothers and maternal aunts of gay men tend to have significantly more offspring than those of straight men. There seems to be at least one gene on the X chromosome that creates a trade-off in men and women. The men turn out gay (and hypothetically less likely to reproduce), but the women’s fecundity increases, making them more likely to have more offspring. In a sense, the gene makes men more attracted to men, but the women more attractive to men. Not only are they more fertile and have less complications during pregnancy, but these women are also more extroverted and have few family problems and social anxieties.

This is called the “balancing selection hypothesis,” and it effectively demonstrates how male homosexuality —as documented not only in humans but hundreds of species — does not actually contradict expectations that evolution favors reproduction. Still, homosexuality is clearly not determined by a single factor. Studies have shown, for example, that exposure to certain levels of hormones in the womb can play a role in sexuality. Twin studies also suggest other genetic components, even in women. But this research may help explain why female sexuality tends to be more fluid while men’s tends to be more fixed; this “trade-off” gene may just not be playing the same role.

Scientists may never fully identity what complex combination of factors determines sexuality, but there is still plenty of evidence to conclude that it is natural and healthy part of human diversity. With each new discovery about the nature of homosexuality, discrimination against people for being gay becomes more repugnantly indefensible.

MORE:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/why-are-there-gay-men_n_1590501.html

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/06/14/499483/study-male-genetic-homosexuality/

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Male Homosexuality Study: Gay Men Have Evolutionary Benefit For Their Families-New Research Suggests (Original Post) kpete Jun 2012 OP
People chose to be gay ..... it is in the bible Botany Jun 2012 #1
this would seem to fit with the data that shows the later a male is in the birth order KurtNYC Jun 2012 #2
I have heard of the birth order thing bighughdiehl Jun 2012 #4
Interesting study........ Swede Atlanta Jun 2012 #3
The Duggars must have quite a few young gay sons, then mainer Jun 2012 #5
From the article it seems like they're saying this gene has a benefit to the family and that gay men 4th law of robotics Jun 2012 #6

Botany

(72,020 posts)
1. People chose to be gay ..... it is in the bible
Thu Jun 14, 2012, 10:06 AM
Jun 2012
Do I need to add this?

Brain morphology, blood chemistry, and DNA are all "made up science" by
pro gay liberal college professors.

KurtNYC

(14,549 posts)
2. this would seem to fit with the data that shows the later a male is in the birth order
Thu Jun 14, 2012, 12:01 PM
Jun 2012

the higher his chances of being gay.
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20060626/birth-order-may-affect-homosexuality

Although in the birth order analysis the suggested mechanism is the mother's hormones during gestation.

bighughdiehl

(390 posts)
4. I have heard of the birth order thing
Thu Jun 14, 2012, 12:23 PM
Jun 2012

It doesn't apply in my family.
I have a cousin who is the oldest of two brothers,
but he is gay. My stepdad is the youngest of five brothers,
but he is straight.

 

Swede Atlanta

(3,596 posts)
3. Interesting study........
Thu Jun 14, 2012, 12:15 PM
Jun 2012

I am gay. I have only one sibling, a sister that is 7 years older than I am. I was conceived toward the end of what was then viewed as a woman's child-birthing years.

mainer

(12,136 posts)
5. The Duggars must have quite a few young gay sons, then
Thu Jun 14, 2012, 03:17 PM
Jun 2012

I wonder if they'll be coming out in years to come?

 

4th law of robotics

(6,801 posts)
6. From the article it seems like they're saying this gene has a benefit to the family and that gay men
Fri Jun 15, 2012, 01:15 PM
Jun 2012

are just a side effect. Rather than gay men being directly beneficial.

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