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Homosexuality, Genetics or Preference? Essay

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Let us begin with a definition of homosexuality. Homosexuality refers to a sexual attraction and or behavior between people of the same sex. In origin the word homosexual comes from the Greek word for “same” with the Latin word for “sex”. In my opinion, homosexuality can be classified into two groups - one being sexual orientation and the other being sexual preference. Homosexuality as a sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or amorous attractions primarily towards people of the same sex. It also refers to an individual’s sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them. On the …show more content…

The goal of such reports is to estimate, using correlational statistics, the genetic influence on homosexuality.
In a twin study, identical twins are compared to fraternal twins. If something happens more often in identical twins, then that behavior is influenced by genetics. A 1991 study showed that if a gay man had an identical twin, the twin would also be gay 52% of the time while a 1993 study showed that if a lesbian woman had an identical twin, the twin would also be lesbian 48% of the time. If the twins were fraternal instead of identical, the percentage drops to 22%. The significant differences in these percentages show a genetic component to sexual orientation.
Another scientific study from 2006 said that researchers have known for years that a man's likelihood of being gay rises with the number of older biological brothers, but the new study found that the so-called "fraternal birth order effect" persists even if gay men were raised away from their biological families. Anthony F. Bogaert, Ph.D., professor at Brock University, said "The research suggests that the development of sexual orientation is influenced before birth."
The older-brother effect was constant regardless of whether the men were raised with natural, adopted or stepbrothers. It also didn't matter if they weren't raised with their biological mothers. If gay younger brothers and older

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