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Now I this is what I'm about to do. I am about to bring up a study that was done to attempt to find the actual genetic cause. The findings and opinions in the links and references do not necessarily reflect my opinion on this subject and should not be construed as such.
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A study was done by Dean Hamer, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, in 1993, which purportedly identified a region of the X Chromosome, Xq28 as a possible cause or precursor to homosexuality, this study pertained the the male side only:
Study On Gay Gene Challenged - Chicago Tribune
In 1995 however, Dean Hamer, was accused of scientific misconduct, and of selective reporting of findings by a junior researcher. In March of the previous year, a 38 year old post-doctoral fellow in the NCI's Laboratory of Biochemistry had earlier called Hamer's data into question. She was later dismissed from the laboratory and was later reinstated by the Office of Research Integrity.
The junior researcher brought the issue to the attention of National Institute of Health, (of which the NCI comprises) who then referred it to the Office of Research Integrity, which found in a preliminary inquiry sufficient evidence to launch an investigation via a panel of experts in the same field Hamer was part of. The results of the inquiry were never published.
Hamer's study was then challenged when between 1993 and 1998, George Ebers, a neurogeneticist from the University of Western Ontario, tried to replicate the experiment and failed. In 1998, another group of geneticists (Sanders, et al.) did so with the same result. In fact multiple studies as recently as 2010 which after using this method failed to successfully replicate Hamer's conclusion (Bailey & Pillard, 1991; Hamer, 1993; Hu et al, 1995; McGuire, 1995; Mcknight, 1997; Sanders et al. 1998; Bailey et al., 1999; Rice et al. in 1999; McKnight & Malcolm, 2000; Hershberger, 2001; Bearman & Brückner, 2002; Mustanski et al. 2005; Långström, et al 2010).
Hamer then conceded in the April 28th 1995 edition of the Salt Lake Tribune titled "Science of Desire Is Topic for ‘Gay Gene’ Finder" that he had basically misrepresented his findings. He stated that homosexuality is:
"culturally transmitted, not inherited" and that "there is not a single master gene that makes people gay." I don't think we will ever be able to predict who will be gay" he said.
Another study, using 409 pairs of brothers, was conducted in 2014, which attempted to expound on the Hamer study:
Cambridge Journals Online - Psychological Medicine - Abstract - Genome-wide scan demonstrates significant linkage for male sexual orientation
But as was the case in previous studies, it used an outmoded method of testing, called a "genetic linkage scan" or GWA (Genome Wide Association). However, scientists have noted that "the GWA approach can be problematic because the massive number of statistical tests performed presents an unprecedented potential for false-positive results." Such a statement tells me that some of these "gay gene" studies are flawed.
How to interpret a genome-wide association study. - PubMed - NCBI
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Hamer is just one study. I have read that a scientific study will carry with it the risk that it can be influenced by the biases those conducting the research.
My contention is this: There is no clear cut cause for homosexuality. I have spent the past few hours scouring over studies and research dealing with the "gay gene." What I learned is that it is neither a disease or an abnormality, since throughout recorded history there have been small populations of individuals exhibiting homosexual tendencies. It can be the result of abuse or subpar sexual ability or performance involving a heterosexual partner, spousal abuse, or other negative factors. Another thing is that there is no single gene responsible for homosexuality, and that from the studies I've read, that the nature of the genes and the nurturing environment play a co-role.
I am left with no definitive opinion on the causes of homosexuality and I am therefore unable to take a "side" in this debate.
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A study was done by Dean Hamer, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, in 1993, which purportedly identified a region of the X Chromosome, Xq28 as a possible cause or precursor to homosexuality, this study pertained the the male side only:
Study On Gay Gene Challenged - Chicago Tribune
In 1995 however, Dean Hamer, was accused of scientific misconduct, and of selective reporting of findings by a junior researcher. In March of the previous year, a 38 year old post-doctoral fellow in the NCI's Laboratory of Biochemistry had earlier called Hamer's data into question. She was later dismissed from the laboratory and was later reinstated by the Office of Research Integrity.
The junior researcher brought the issue to the attention of National Institute of Health, (of which the NCI comprises) who then referred it to the Office of Research Integrity, which found in a preliminary inquiry sufficient evidence to launch an investigation via a panel of experts in the same field Hamer was part of. The results of the inquiry were never published.
Hamer's study was then challenged when between 1993 and 1998, George Ebers, a neurogeneticist from the University of Western Ontario, tried to replicate the experiment and failed. In 1998, another group of geneticists (Sanders, et al.) did so with the same result. In fact multiple studies as recently as 2010 which after using this method failed to successfully replicate Hamer's conclusion (Bailey & Pillard, 1991; Hamer, 1993; Hu et al, 1995; McGuire, 1995; Mcknight, 1997; Sanders et al. 1998; Bailey et al., 1999; Rice et al. in 1999; McKnight & Malcolm, 2000; Hershberger, 2001; Bearman & Brückner, 2002; Mustanski et al. 2005; Långström, et al 2010).
Hamer then conceded in the April 28th 1995 edition of the Salt Lake Tribune titled "Science of Desire Is Topic for ‘Gay Gene’ Finder" that he had basically misrepresented his findings. He stated that homosexuality is:
"culturally transmitted, not inherited" and that "there is not a single master gene that makes people gay." I don't think we will ever be able to predict who will be gay" he said.
Another study, using 409 pairs of brothers, was conducted in 2014, which attempted to expound on the Hamer study:
Cambridge Journals Online - Psychological Medicine - Abstract - Genome-wide scan demonstrates significant linkage for male sexual orientation
But as was the case in previous studies, it used an outmoded method of testing, called a "genetic linkage scan" or GWA (Genome Wide Association). However, scientists have noted that "the GWA approach can be problematic because the massive number of statistical tests performed presents an unprecedented potential for false-positive results." Such a statement tells me that some of these "gay gene" studies are flawed.
How to interpret a genome-wide association study. - PubMed - NCBI
-------------------------------
Hamer is just one study. I have read that a scientific study will carry with it the risk that it can be influenced by the biases those conducting the research.
My contention is this: There is no clear cut cause for homosexuality. I have spent the past few hours scouring over studies and research dealing with the "gay gene." What I learned is that it is neither a disease or an abnormality, since throughout recorded history there have been small populations of individuals exhibiting homosexual tendencies. It can be the result of abuse or subpar sexual ability or performance involving a heterosexual partner, spousal abuse, or other negative factors. Another thing is that there is no single gene responsible for homosexuality, and that from the studies I've read, that the nature of the genes and the nurturing environment play a co-role.
I am left with no definitive opinion on the causes of homosexuality and I am therefore unable to take a "side" in this debate.
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... when you can't refute what's pointed out ABOUT THE TOPIC!
