Homosexuality ultimately a result of gene regulation, researchers find

**Big Pimpin** · 12-20-2012, 04:43 AM

The search for a "gay gene" may be off-target, new research finds. Another process called epigenetics that switches genes on and off may explain why homosexuality runs in families.

Epigenetics

are heritable changes caused by factors other than DNA. Instead of traits getting passed down through the genes, epigenetic change happens because of the way genes are regulated, or turned on and off.

These genetic regulators may be the reason homosexuality persists in nature

despite the fact that gay people are less likely to reproduce, suggests the new study published in the journal The Quarterly Review of Biology.

"These things have evolved because they're good for the parents, but they sometimes, not [with] high frequency, but sometimes carry over" into offspring, study researcher William Rice, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, told LiveScience. In a male fetus, Rice and his colleagues write, an epigenetic change that benefited the mother may lead to "feminization" of sexual preference ? homo- or bisexuality. The same may be true for epigenetic changes passed down by dad to a female fetus. (The terms feminization and masculinization of sexual preference refer to sexual orientation only ? not to physical or personality traits of the offspring.)

The findings add to past research suggesting gay men haven't died out

, because female relatives of gay men tend to have more children on average than other females. The study researchers specifically found that two genes passed on through the maternal line could produce this effect.
Hormones, epigenetics and orientation

Rice and his colleagues focused on epi-marks, which are molecular changes that act like temporary "switches" to turn genes on and off. If a gene is a blueprint, the epi-mark is the construction foreman who makes sure the product gets built. An epi-mark also determines when, where and how much a gene is expressed, according to the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis.

These molecular switches are usually erased very early in the developmental process, but they can be passed down from generation to generation

, too, Rice said.
Some epi-marks are particularly important during fetal development, when they promote normal physical development in the sexes despite natural variations in testosterone during pregnancy. Researchers know that fetal exposure to too much testosterone can masculinize the genitals, brain or behavior of a genetically female fetus. Likewise, too little testosterone can make a genetically male fetus more feminized. [Image Gallery: Fetal Development in Womb

]

But here's the catch: There's lots of overlap between the levels of testosterone male and female fetuses get exposed to. That means there must be another side to the story, Rice and his colleagues wrote.

That side appears to be epigenetics, Rice said.

"Early in development, we think these epi-marks are laid down so that girl fetuses will be relatively insensitive to testosterone and male fetuses will be relatively sensitive to testosterone," Rice said.

Biological behavior

Thus, if an epi-mark that kept a mother from getting exposed to high testosterone in development gets passed on to her son ? the opposite sex ? it could desensitize him to testosterone, contributing to his sexual preference for men. Similarly, if a male-specific epi-mark from dad gets passed to a daughter, it could "masculinize" her sexual preference, making her more interested in women. [5 Myths About Gay People

]

These findings could explain why twin studies show that homosexuality runs in families, but no "gay gene

" can be found, Rice said. In identical twins, there's about a 20 percent chance that if one twin is gay, the other will be too. If genetic change were responsible for homosexuality, you'd expect a much higher match, Rice said. Epigenetics, however, can explain the heritability without the need for a specific genetic change.

The hypothesis could be tested by examining epigenetic marks in parents of kids with gay versus straight offspring, Rice said. There are, of course, concerns that this knowledge could be used by parents who want to avoid gay offspring, Rice said, but that concern already exists around certain hormonal conditions in utero, which are known to contribute to an increased chance of offspring being lesbians.

"That cat's already out of the bag," Rice said. He added that an understanding of the biological underpinnings of homosexuality could help emphasize that same-sex behavior is not "unnatural."

"In fact, it's a major part of the natural world

," Rice said. Fourteen percent of Western gulls raise chicks in female-female pairs, he pointed out. And 8 percent of male sheep show zero interest in fertile ewes, but get sexually excited by other rams.

"We think that people who are gay or lesbian have a right to know, what is the biological foundation for this condition?" Rice said.

**LAM** · 12-20-2012, 04:45 AM

who would have thought it was genetic? LOL...

**jagbender** · 12-20-2012, 06:11 AM

Definatly an interesting hypothesis

**exphys88** · 12-20-2012, 07:33 AM

It's a choice fueled by the devil and we should treat them like second class citizens. If there is any science suggesting otherwise we'll just deny it.

**SloppyJ** · 12-20-2012, 08:21 AM

I was going to read this until I found out it was posted by fox news. My fiance and I were going back and forth about this the other night. She's a biology nerd.

My defense was "Do you think there were gay cavemen?"

**Tris10** · 12-20-2012, 08:33 AM

Im kinda tired of everything getting blamed on our genes. Its insulting to other family members to say that this person in your family is this or that and has done this or that bc its in their genes. We are humans that have free will and make our own decisions.

**hoyle21** · 12-20-2012, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by SloppyJ

I was going to read this until I found out it was posted by fox news. My fiance and I were going back and forth about this the other night. She's a biology nerd.

My defense was "Do you think there were gay cavemen?"

Yes, there were.

**hoyle21** · 12-20-2012, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Tris10

Im kinda tired of everything getting blamed on our genes. Its insulting to other family members to say that this person in your family is this or that and has done this or that bc its in their genes. We are humans that have free will and make our own decisions.

Don't let science cloud your judgement. Fight the power.

**troubador** · 12-20-2012, 09:17 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if it was mostly genetic but I don't think it's possible that it's the only factor in every case. People are attracted to all sorts of weird shit like trannies or people who own motorcycles. While there maybe some rudimentary influential genetics involved, the entire attraction cannot be totally genetic since your genes don't know what trannies or motorcycles are. Perhaps two people with the exact same genes growing up in alternate universes where one grows up around bikers and the other in some social circle that looks down on them. It seems certainly possible that one would be attracted to people with motorcycles and the other think they are for the uncivilized. People would probably say pedos are not that way because of genetics. So why can't some weirdo think homosexuality is really perverse and ultimately get a kick out of it by finding it kinky? Or maybe they grow up in a social circle with a bunch of homosexuals and aren't opposed to the idea of it, try it and find out they like someone performing oral on them regardless of their sex. I think while it may not be the norm, people are attracted to many different things for many different reasons. I don't see why it must be only genetics. Maybe the non-genetic attraction isn't really homosexuality but something else, I don't know.

**rippedgolfer** · 12-20-2012, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by SloppyJ

I was going to read this until I found out it was posted by fox news. My fiance and I were going back and forth about this the other night. She's a biology nerd.

My defense was "Do you think there were gay cavemen?"

You're engaged? When did this happen? Congrats bro. Ya there probably were a few gay cavemen. They just never came out of the closet or acted flamey. Lol j/k, I have no idea.

**charley** · 12-20-2012, 09:34 AM

Homosexuality ultimately a result of gene regulation, researchers find .........I thought you meant My 'Uncle Gene' ........he tried to 'regulate' a few of the young boys in the neighborhood , although a good 'BOYSCOUT' Leader..

**hoyle21** · 12-20-2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by troubador

I wouldn't be surprised if it was mostly genetic but I don't think it's possible that it's the only factor in every case. People are attracted to all sorts of weird shit like trannies or people who own motorcycles. While there maybe some rudimentary influential genetics involved, the entire attraction cannot be totally genetic since your genes don't know what trannies or motorcycles are. Perhaps two people with the exact same genes growing up in alternate universes where one grows up around bikers and the other in some social circle that looks down on them. It seems certainly possible that one would be attracted to people with motorcycles and the other think they are for the uncivilized. People would probably say pedos are not that way because of genetics. So why can't some weirdo think homosexuality is really perverse and ultimately get a kick out of it by finding it kinky? Or maybe they grow up in a social circle with a bunch of homosexuals and aren't opposed to the idea of it, try it and find out they like someone performing oral on them regardless of their sex. I think while it may not be the norm, people are attracted to many different things for many different reasons. I don't see why it must be only genetics. Maybe the non-genetic attraction isn't really homosexuality but something else, I don't know.

There were some twin studies done some time ago in regards to homosexuality. I want to say that if one identical twin is gay, the chances if the other being gay are over 99%. It's been a while since I've read it though.

Also, what was most interesting is that percentage did not change in regards to separated identical twins. In identical twins the effect of living in a different household or community did not alter the percentages.

When I get home Ill look for the study.

**Dale Mabry** · 12-20-2012, 11:11 AM

I read that particular study. It doesn't say it's genetic, it says it's epigenetic. If it were genetic identical twins would have a 100% rate of both being the same sexuality but that's not the case. It's basically in the way genes are read during embryonic development. Normally those epigenetic marks are removed but in some cases they get passed from father to daughter or mother to son and you get gay folk.

**SloppyJ** · 12-20-2012, 12:06 PM

If it's linked to your genes, then how does the gay population keep increasing? They obviously don't reproduce.

Yeah I can do this shit all day.

**exphys88** · 12-20-2012, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by SloppyJ

If it's linked to your genes, then how does the gay population keep increasing? They obviously don't reproduce.

Yeah I can do this shit all day.

Is it increasing? And plenty of gays reproduce, in fact I've tried to get my wife to allow me to reproduce w lesbians plenty of times. With her there of course. No go so far

**RodneyL** · 12-20-2012, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by exphys88

It's a choice fueled by the devil and we should treat them like second class citizens. If there is any science suggesting otherwise we'll just deny it.

I agree, let us pray right after the collection plate is passed.

**REDDOG309** · 12-20-2012, 02:00 PM

So I guess azza's Dad was a pedo too..........

**LAM** · 12-20-2012, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by SloppyJ

If it's linked to your genes, then how does the gay population keep increasing? They obviously

the same way the entire global population has increased from 1B in the early 1800's to almost 7B today

**LAM** · 12-20-2012, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Tris10

Im kinda tired of everything getting blamed on our genes. Its insulting to other family members to say that this person in your family is this or that and has done this or that bc its in their genes. We are humans that have free will and make our own decisions.

so then what your saying is that people give themselves degenerative diseases, cancer, mental illness, and children with cerebral palsy or MDA are just lazy and don't want to work or live past 21?

**maniclion** · 12-20-2012, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by SloppyJ

If it's linked to your genes, then how does the gay population keep increasing? They obviously don't reproduce.

Yeah I can do this shit all day.

If you read the article the answer was stated clearly. Women who can pass this epigenetic marker tend to have more children. My paternal grandmother had 11 kids, one of my uncles was gay. Not flamer gay though, he was rowdy biker, big rig truck driver, , leather chaps wearing, Blue Oyster Bar in Police Academy, bear gay.

**jay_steel** · 12-20-2012, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

so then what your saying is that people give themselves degenerative diseases, cancer, mental illness, and children with cerebral palsy or MDA are just lazy and don't want to work or live past 21?

so then what your saying is being gay is a disease?

**GearsMcGilf** · 12-20-2012, 03:34 PM

This quack has no idea what he's talking about. The answer to this question was answered 3000 years ago and it's in the top drawer in every hotel in America. If it was all about our jeans, then God sould have destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

**SFW** · 12-20-2012, 09:49 PM

Its the BPA in the plastics and water causing an unnatural spike of homofication. If a fetus is exposed to synthetic estrogens in the womb, im sure that would contribute to the perpetuation of the queerosexual population. Then lets say you have some kid....he's on the fence because he looks like a fruit to begin with. Chicks dont dig him. Then he saturates himself with BPA's, watches allthe fags on tv so he thinks its fashionable.... listens to bieber and drake. Voila, fagification complete.

**exphys88** · 12-21-2012, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by SFW

Its the BPA in the plastics and water causing an unnatural spike of homofication. If a fetus is exposed to synthetic estrogens in the womb, im sure that would contribute to the perpetuation of the queerosexual population. Then lets say you have some kid....he's on the fence because he looks like a fruit to begin with. Chicks dont dig him. Then he saturates himself with BPA's, watches allthe fags on tv so he thinks its fashionable.... listens to bieber and drake. Voila, fagification complete.

And lesbians are the result of astronomical numbers of men praying for hot bisexuals.

**troubador** · 12-21-2012, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by exphys88

And lesbians are the result of astronomical numbers of men praying for hot bisexuals.

Study Suggests Difference Between Female And Male Sexuality

**DOMS** · 12-21-2012, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by exphys88

And lesbians are the result of astronomical numbers of men praying for hot bisexuals.

I thought it was due to ugly chicks not getting decent mean. Their vaginas become so angry that they swear off penises for life.

**Curt James** · 12-21-2012, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Tris10

Im kinda tired of everything getting blamed on our genes. Its insulting to other family members to say that this person in your family is this or that and has done this or that bc its in their genes. We are humans that have free will and make our own decisions.

Naaaaah, come on. So, you choose to be sexually attracted to an individual? Never worked that way for me.

There are choices then there are natural attractions or gut reactions. This is sexual or physical attraction, not choosing a career field or picking out what car to buy.

**Curt James** · 12-21-2012, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by GearsMcGilf

This quack has no idea what he's talking about. The answer to this question was answered 3000 years ago and it's in the top drawer in every hotel in America. If it was all about our jeans, then God sould have destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

Jeans? Lol It's all about what's in your pants!

And I'm no biblical expert but I thought there were reports that God did just that.

**GearsMcGilf** · 12-21-2012, 03:46 PM

That was a typo. Faggotry isn't in our jeans. It's a choice you make, that is whether to carry out tye will of god or satan. If it was in our jeans and we couldn't help it, then god wouldn't have destroyed Sodom & Gahmorra. He also would create fine patriotic people like our brothers & sisters of the westboro baptist church who are brave enough to risk their lives fighting against a nation that supports such evil perversion.

**Tris10** · 12-21-2012, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by LAM

so then what your saying is that people give themselves degenerative diseases, cancer, mental illness, and children with cerebral palsy or MDA are just lazy and don't want to work or live past 21?

You're an idiot! Deciding who you have sex with is a behavior.

By your logic, being gay is a disease. Man w/Man female/female. Then someone who likes to have sex with fat ppl would not be a choice, it would be a disease. Someone that makes the the decision to touch children, to you that's not a sick choice made by a sick person, its a disease. There is a huge difference between a legitimate disease and a sick individual. If in your opinion, gay ppl have a disease then you're certainly welcome to your own opinion, regardless if I disagree, but DO NOT compare the two!

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