Scientists may have finally solved the puzzle of what makes a person gay, and how it is passed from parents to their children. Straight women are much more likely to get themselves knocked up than gay women. So, in terms of evolution, they would seem to have a better chance of passing on their genes, while at the same.
What causes sexual orientation? It’s not completely known why someone might be lesbian, gay, straight, or bisexual. But research shows that sexual orientation is likely caused partly by biological factors that start before birth. “GAY GENES” New research has uncovered DNA differences linked to same-sex sexuality in both men and women. Those genetic tweaks don’t predict who is likely to be gay.
Hormonal environments in the womb may help explain the evolutionary origins of female homosexuality and determine the spectrum of sexual orientation in women according to a review article published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. Qazi Rahman says that alleles coding for same sex attraction only explain some of the variety in human sexuality.
Rice and Vilain agree that the conclusion is unclear. People who are homosexual are romantically and physically attracted to people of the same sex: females are attracted to other females; males are attracted to other males. This would compensate for gay people's lack of reproduction and ensure the continuation of the trait, as non-gay carriers of the gene pass it down.
A minority of gay people disagree, maintaining that sexuality is a social construct , external , and they have made a conscious, proud choice , external to take same-sex partners. Hamer says that the findings do not reveal any biological pathways for sexual orientation. They may be concerned or worried about whether their son or daughter will be bullied, mistreated, or marginalized. The term sexual orientation refers to the gender that is, male or female to which a person is attracted.
But how does it fit with Darwin's theory of evolution? Gay people are represented in all walks of life, across all nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, and in all social and economic groups. Being gay is also not considered a mental disorder or abnormality. Meanwhile, just 1 or 2 percent of children who are comfortable with their gender identity turn out to be gay or lesbian.
On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. Unlike men, who are usually sexually oriented solely toward men or women, and whose sexuality is essentially fixed from puberty on, a decade of research by the University of Utah psychologist Lisa Diamond and others demonstrates that women have greater "erotic plasticity.
These new feelings can be intense, confusing, sometimes even overwhelming. Image source, Thinkstock. She holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Tufts University and has studied physics at the University of California, Berkeley.
By Sara Reardon. Some gay teens say they had same-sex crushes in childhood, just as their heterosexual peers had opposite-sex crushes. Other studies have linked sexual orientation with environmental factors such as hormone exposure before birth and having older brothers. The research has limitations: almost all of the participants were from the U.
August 29, 4 min read. In the last two decades, dozens of scientific papers have been published on the biological origins of homosexuality - another announcement was made last week. But many parents find that they just need time to adjust to the news. Social Links Navigation.
No-one knows why this is, but one theory is that with each male pregnancy, a woman's body forms an immune reaction to proteins that have a role in the development of the male brain. That's where support groups and other organizations can help. It mocks those who "think it's a decision, and you can be cured with some treatment and religion - man-made rewiring of a predisposition".
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