If the argument of homosexual animals is not convincing enough, one must also consider the possibility of genetics. There is research suggesting that certain genetic markers on the x-chromosome are associated with homosexuality: “Using genetic mapping, the team found that a set of five genetic markers at the tip of the long arm of the X chromosome were identical in 33 of 40 pairs of homosexual brothers” (Journal Watch). This does not positively conclude that a person will be gay if he or she has these markers, but it does suggest that there are genetic factors at play rather than sexuality being merely a choice. Much of this research was done in 1993, and: “The same year, a study of twins found a significantly higher correlation of sexual orientation between identical as opposed to fraternal twins” (Bernstein 34). Two people with the same genetic makeup are more likely to both be gay or both be straight than two people with similar but not quite identical genetics.
In brief, evidence indicates that being homosexual—that is, "experiencing an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex"—is most often an experience that is discovered, not freely chosen . With the onset of puberty, and its associated hormonal changes, every adolescent boy and girl begins to discover sexual attractions, desires, fantasies and feelings.
As it stands, there is no concrete evidence explaining why some individuals are homosexuals. There are however, two contradictory causes to homosexuality: (1) homosexuality is innate and (2) homosexuality is a choice.
A different possibility is that prenatal hormone levels influence the developing fetus (Levay, 2011). According to the prenatal hormonal theory of homosexuality, some male fetuses are exposed to too little testosterone. Similarly, some female fetuses are exposed to too much testosterone. These differences, in turn, can impact sexual orientation (Mustanski, Chivers, & Bailey, 2002). Regardless, homosexuality is not caused by hormone imbalances in adulthood; the hormone levels of most gay men and lesbians are within the normal range (Banks & Gartrell, 1995).
If sexuality is developed at an early stage in a person’s life, then how does homosexuality occur? Homosexuality in Darwin’s selection theory doesn’t even exist. (Roughgarden, 2009, 127) Some say that it’s based on the person’s surrounding environment and influences while others say that it’s purely genetic. There has been substantial evidence that points to both genetic and environmental factors in developing homosexuality, but no one factor that clearly pushes over the top to define the origins of homosexuality. Statistically if a male is straight then there is a 4% percent chance that his brother might be gay, but if the male himself is gay, then the percentage jumps to 22%. (Roughgarden 2009: 247) These statistics simply show that gay males tend to group in families, it doesn’t necessarily point out anything specific about the environment’s effects or the male’s genetic makeup. (Roughgarden, 2009, 247)
People are not born gay and sexual orientation is not unchangeable, according to the latest research by the American Psychological Association (APA).
There are multiple theories people hold on how they believe homosexuality started or is generally caused. However, after multiple studies and ongoing research the likelihood that it is nature, rather than nurture, based is going strong. Although, as of now, there has been no exact consensus among researchers, after examining possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and/or cultural influences, to prove that homosexuality is completely one or the other, but it is usually found that people cannot choose their sexual orientation, but rather only
Many people now believe the reporting of many popular newspapers and magazines report of the "discovery" of a link between a certain gene and homosexuality, but hasn't it been considered a choice for such a long time? Is homosexuality a choice rather than genetic? To answer this question we'll start off by revealing some myths of homosexuality. The next part will explain the difference between a behavioral trait and a genetic trait. Finally I'll end be unveiling the truth behind the "homosexual gene."
Gene's & hormones and the brain have no scientific evidence currently, that someone is born homosexual. A person's culture and environment chooses what they find attractive, in the U.S a large portion of men find females breast very attractive, but in some other cultures breast are seen as just part of the body no different then your brain or knees. Throughout history marriages have been based off of economical needs, and in some tribal cultures gay relationships have often been thought to be sacred.
One experiment showed that homosexuality is not a choice for adults, rather, you exhibit these behaviors as a child (Jenkins, p. 286). Recently this observation has been replicated through the analysis of childhood videos that have been taken from male and female homosexual and heterosexual research volunteers. The video displayed that children that are Pre-homosexual displayed non-conformity than their pre-heterosexual counterparts, and that this behavior continued through adulthood. People
There is no doubt that there are several scientific studies and pieces of evidence suggesting and supporting that being gay is genetic and not influenced by societal nudging. However, the evidence supporting that aspect as of now is just probable not definitive which leaves the possibility that there are other factors involved. Just as easily as being gay can be genetic, it’s also possible that it is in fact culturally induced. Along with evidence
In addition, homosexuality can also be caused by biological factors. The first biological factor is hormonal imbalances in the body. Hormones play an important role in stimulating one’s intensity of sexuality. Estrogen is normally associated with female and testosterone with the male. A homosexual man is likely to have either more estrogen or less testosterone and vice versa (Buchanan, 2000). Furthermore, sexual orientation is developed in the womb, as suggested by Bogaert (2006). He said a woman body may prompt an immune reaction on the male fetus as the body sees a male fetus as an ‘outsider’. Therefore, antibodies will be created and this may affect the male’s brain growth. This explains why older brothers are more likely to be gay. In addition to that, homosexual males’ brain structures are similar to heterosexual females. According to Rahman (2008), these brain differences may develop early in the feotal development.
Regardless of the many experiments tested, there will still be an underlying mystery that correlates with the scientific explanation of this topic. We will never truly know why a person will become gay but we do know some situations that could alter a person’s sexuality.
According to studies done by Simon LeVey, being gay is a biological cause, not a choice made when one is very young. It is also an accepted
child who is raised by gay parents will turn out gay, and so on. However, people