Research Paper on Homosexuality as a Genetic Characteristic

Homosexuality is defined as someone who is sexually attarcted to people of their own sex. There is a controversial issue about whether homosexualuty is caused by genetics or environamntal factors. There are studies that have been performed by many scientists about if justa  single gene dictates being gay or if multiple do. People of the LGBTQIA+ were not as accepted by those of heterosexaulity as much as they are today or at least open to conversion like they are today. Some even believe homosexuality was caused by evolution. With all this being said, homosexuality is decided by genetics. 

According to the New York Times article written by Pam Belluck, Benjamin Neale, who lead a research in a study about if many genes influence same-sex sexuality or if just a single gene. Neale said and I quote “ It’s written into our genes and it’s part of our environment. This is part of our species and it’s part of who we are.” To gather information for this study Nelae and his team analyzed data of 408,000 men and women from a large British database, this large number is based upon the ages between 40 and 69. They believe some of these people are the people who were not able to be open about what their true sexuality was and went along with what society projected as the norm in their time. These men and women answered not only extensive health questions but also behavior questions. The questions consisted of if they have ever had sexual engagement with one of the same sex as they are. Scientists believe there may even be thousands of genes influencing same-sex sexual behavior, even if it is the slighest role. The new study found that all genetic effects likely account for about 32 percent of weather someone will have same-sex sex (Belluck).

Another study led by Andrea Ganna, a geneticist and collegeagues or hers did a large survey to decipher the genes associated with same-sex behavior. This study that was performed in 2019 was a part of the ongoing hunt for “gay genes” that orignally started in 1993 by Dean Hamer. This study linked male homosexuality to a section of the X Chromosome. The Genome-wide association studies identified a gene called “ SLITRK6”, which differs in size between those who are homosexual compared to those that are heterosexual. According to Bill Sullivans article “ Stop calling it a choice : Biological factors drive homosexuality” :

Males with a genetic condition called androgen insensitivity syndrome can develop female genitalia and are usually brought up as girls, despite being genetically male – with an X and Y chromosome – and they are attracted to men. This suggests that testosterone is needed to “masculinize” a prenatal brain; if that doesn’t happen, the child will grow up to desire men.

Similarly, girls who have a genetic condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia are exposed to unusually high levels of male hormones like testosterone while in the womb, which may masculinize their brain and increase the odds of lesbianism.

These simple facts show that even women or men, born with the opposite genitailata of the designated gender they are assigned at birth are allowed to have attraction to those of the opposite sex of them even though their genitalia is the same as them (Bill Sullivan).

“ Kin selection” is the explanation for homosexuality according to Warren C. Lathe lll. When he refers to kin selection he is proposing the theory that gay genes can be passed down just like heterosexual genes can be passed down. Weather you end up being a homosexual is due to the fact that one of your aunts,uncles,cousins, mom, dad, etc may also gay. This trait of kin selection can be found in many organisms according to Lathe. He backs this up by stating that : 

There is a protein in all organisms called a "histone" protein. This protein basically binds up your chromosomes into DNA. It is fundamental. There is less than one half of one tenth of one percent of difference between a yeast histone protein and human histone protein. A trait that is fundamental is expected to be shared. A trait such as sexual orientation, which we theoretically believe to be fundamental is expected to be shared. We are now seeing this in humans. ( Warren C. Lathe lll)

Being homosexual is congential, just like being left handed is, so the side of the brain that causes you to develop being left handed has a similar way of operation to an organ in the brain identified as the hypothalamus. This part of the brain is what is responsible for gender preference. The hypothalamus can be considered dimorphic, which differs in structure for both male and female. There are differences for those who are heterosexual and those who are homosexual. Recent studies have actually broken down what the hypothalamus does which is stated below :

With advances in laboratory technology, a specific region of the hypothalamus, called the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN), has been the focus of some interesting research. The SDN is the most conspicuous anatomical male/female difference in the mammalian brain. The nucleus is 3 to 8 times larger in males than in females. Another nucleus of the hypothalamus, INAH 3, reveals that heterosexual males have double the volume of both homosexual and female subjects.

These findings show scientfic proof that your brain can also develop in a specific way that causes you to be attracted to those of the same-sex as you (Dan Eden).

Homosexuality is not decided by enviornment, but instead decided by genetics. Not only are you homosexual because of one gene but due to numerous genes. The way your brain developed and what chromosome pattern was used is what created you. Some may not realize who they truly are due to the fact of what era they were born into. Many factors contribute to the person you are, weather you are heterosexual because that’s how you were deveolped or if you are homosexual due to the same circumstances. Either way, you are still human and were created a specific way for a reason.

Works Cited

Belluck, Pam. “Many Genes Influence Same-Sex Sexuality, Not a Single 'Gay Gene'.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 29 Aug. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/29/science/gay-gene-sex.html. 

Lathe III, Warren C. "Homosexuality Is Biologically Determined." Homosexuality, edited by Auriana Ojeda, Greenhaven Press, 2004. link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010143238/OVIC?u=pocono_moun_shs&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=b5b525c4. 

Reardon, Sara. “Genetic Patterns Offer Clues to Evolution of Homosexuality.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 23 Aug. 2021, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02312-0. 

Sullivan , Bill. “Stop Calling It a Choice: Biological Factors Drive Homosexuality.” The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2020, https://theconversation.com/stop-calling-it-a-choice-biological-factors-drive-homosexuality-122764. 

Eden, Dan. "Homosexuals Are Born Gay." Homosexuality, edited by David Haugen and Susan Musser, Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010143299/OVIC?u=pocono_moun_shs&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=f6c2f51c. Accessed 10 Nov. 2021. Originally published as "Homosexuality Is Not a Choice," Viewzone.com, 2011.