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Would one unashamedly discriminate and blame another for simply being a certain gender or race? Would one hate another simply due to their DNA? The reality is that there are those who discriminate against others no matter, but there are some who do not realize the possibility of certain characteristics to be genetic. These are the people this essay is striving to reach, to teach and to convince the possibility that some traits, such as sexual preference, are not to be chosen, but are innate. Homosexuality is a quality and a lifestyle most believe to be a choice and some even believe it to be a bad choice. Discriminating against homosexuals for a genetic predisposition is no less heinous than discriminating against a gender or race only for a physicality or mentality there is no control over. The realization that there is a gene and hormonal reasoning carrying the homosexual trait could change the principles and judgments of homosexuals everywhere. The scientific approach to finding the root of homosexuality is necessary; no other institution, such as The Roman Catholic Church, conservatives, or even hate groups, will answer this question with logical and rational reasoning. To provide support for further research and studies of the hidden gay gene will hopefully one day end the years of discrimination and judgment.
Homosexuality is not a new means in any way; it has existed for centuries developing names and understandings. Even though homosexuality has survived throughout all these years it still brings with it constant scrutiny, discrimination, misrepresentation, and confusion. If the gay gene isn’t discovered due to neglect and loss of support or an ultimate disagreement in the religious or political powers, humans could be facing a world of constant judgment and bias. For homosexuals living without this understanding it could mean many more years without national marriage rights or it could even mean having their children taken away. Dean Hamer witnessed a raw and honest statement while he was in court facing a subpoena due to his research: “Supporters said gays should not get “special” treatment, because they are not like racial minorities or other groups currently protected by law” (Hamer & Copeland 210). The future looks grim for homosexuals and in relation, looks just as bad for heterosexuals affected by the bias and disagreements. In a different future, one that has discovered the gay gene and proven that homosexuality is genetic gays could be facing more equality, acceptance, all parental privileges that most facing child custody courts were without, and being able to marry a person of the same sex in any state or any country. Undoubtedly the future holding the discovery of the gay gene would be a better world for everyone in it. These potential futures are why scientists are working very hard at finding the secrets to human sexuality.
If only there were two separate subjects with the same genetic makeup to more closely examine sexuality through genes; luckily for scientists an occurrence happens in the womb causing either one fertilized egg to split in half (monozygotic) or two eggs fertilized by the same sperm gene (dizygotic). Twins for centuries have impressed and mystified scientists, but now more than ever are they being examined more closely, for they hold the key to the gay gene. Several studies done with monozygotic twins show that of 57 pairs of male twins there is a concordance rate, a degree measured of shared traits among two people, of nearly 88 percent for homosexuality (Puterbaugh). This study illustrates that fifty pairs share the same sexual preference. The only drawback is the percentage of those who won’t admit to being gay is not calculated in. Assuming that some people will keep their sexual preferences to themselves throws off the balance of the test and keeps scientists from settling the nature/nurture debate for good. The outcome of most twin studies support genetic reasoning due to far more monozygotic twins showing concordance when the Dizygotic twins show slight to no concordance at all (Puterbaugh xiii). While monozygotic twins do show a higher similarity in homosexuality than Dizygotic twins, Heston and Shields have found through their research that “There is no evidence that monozygotic twins per se are particularly prone to homosexuality. The tendency is for concordance to be incomplete in series of MZ twins but to be higher than in corresponding DZ twins, a finding which once again points to the importance of both genetic and environmental causes” (65). Heston and Shields present the idea that there is an environmental issue playing a role in sexual development; however, the similarities in genes still sustain a genetic predisposition.
Another researcher of monozygotic twins, Bernard Zuger, presents his findings that out of a pair of monozygotic twins that showed very different gender behaviors and eventually showed opposite attractions in gender, “environmental factors have been found not to be significant in the development of the homosexuality, and therefore, the discordance in the psychosexual development of monozygotic twins cannot be ascribed to the differential effect of these factors on them” (78). Zuger provides the readers with his take that through the study of these twins it shows that the environmental factors did have an impact on both children, but biology still plays a large role in monozygotic concordance in homosexuality (75-77). Continuing to prove homosexuality runs through genes rather than environment is a study, “Homosexuality in Monozygotic Twins Reared Apart,” that takes a series of 55 pairs raised separately and of the male pairs it continues to show similarities in prior studies. The male monozygotic concordance numbers rise above that of the dizygotic numbers so much so that it’s hard to refute the genetic predisposition (Eckert et al. 123-134).
Maybe the solution to finding the gay gene in humans is to not study humans at all. Certain animals show the trait of homosexuality, when with certain ones, such as sheep, it is understood that their “upbringing” and the nurture division is not developed or accepted, due to the pure animal instincts and simple-mindedness. "Same-sex attraction is widespread across many different species." says Roselli, whose laboratory collaborates with Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. There is currently a five-year OHSU study being conducted on the endocrinology sexual preferences of sheep highlighted in EurekAlert journal. Around the world eight percent of rams show an elevated interest in other rams, rather than sheep. "They're one of the few species that have been systematically studied, so we're able to do very careful and controlled experiments on sheep," Charles Roselli said about the subjects he’s studying. Scientists at OHSU School of Medicine have been doing extensive studies with 27 sheep, nine of which are male sheep showing male interest, eight males interested in females, and ten ewes. Nerve cells in the hypothalamus, which controls metabolic function and reproduction, of rams show larger sizes than in ewes, to which scientists have named the ovine sexually dimorphic nucleus or oSDN. It is shown that the oSDN in female-oriented males is exceedingly larger with more neurons than in male-oriented males and ewes. Also providing evidence of endocrine sexuality is the amount of Aromatase, what adapts testosterone to estradiol for the hormone to assist typical male sexual manners, found in both male-oriented rams and normal ewes. It is the same level concluding the brain function and genetic makeup of homosexual rams and ewes have more concordance than compared to female-oriented rams. EurekAlert online journal states that, “In collaboration with geneticists at UCLA, Roselli has begun to study possible differences in gene expression between brains of male-oriented and female-oriented rams.” Hopefully in the next three years further development will begin to show more genetic and endocrine proof of homosexuality not only in sheep and animals alike, but also in humans (Modie).
Many believe going to the exact root of discussion about the gay gene is to actually study direct gene relations. Finding the gene locality and chromosome it is carried from will boost belief and understanding of this genetic anomaly. A very important name centered on providing one of the most important discoveries into finding its location, Dean Hamer of the National Cancer Institute, has discovered that out of countless studies done with homosexuality running in families most gay relatives come from the mother’s side of the family. He and his team at NCI have concluded that homosexuality runs through the mother, in which she provides the X chromosome (Robinson). Dean Hamer stated that, “Gay men have more maternal than paternal male relatives who also are gay. In retrospect, the family data not only helped tell us where to look, it also supported the linkage results” (Hamer & Copeland 139). This shows us specifically that the gene was carried on the X chromosome. Hamer continued in finding the exact location of the gay gene on the X chromosome, discovering that many of the gay males he was studying have an exact sequence on the Zq28 area of the chromosome. This shows the estimated setting for the gay gene. There is slight room for error and coincidence in which the article, “Six Studies into the Causes of Homosexuality” faces head on and states, “The statistical "p" value is a measure of the significance of a test: the probability that it could have happened by chance. P values less than 0.01 (1%) are considered very significant. The Hamer study had a P factor of 0.00001, and so is considered extremely reliable.” The fact that Hamer’s study is so steadfast and provides high-quality evidence and new discoveries for the gay gene boosts the confidence in many researchers (Robinson).
Understanding that homosexuality can develop within the womb is a main goal for most researchers, ensuring that the general population is closer to understanding the possibility of genetics. There have been many other studies done aside from the twin research or the direct studies of genes that focus on common characteristics of gay males which are decided and developed before birth. A study being done by J. Hall and D. Kimura at the University of Western Ontario concludes that there is a relation in fingertip ridges among male homosexuals. Tests have shown that “30% of the homosexuals tested had a surplus of ridges on their left hand, whereas only 14% of the heterosexuals did.” This is an interesting find; however it is not to say that the gay gene lies within the fingertips. The interesting part of this study is that fingertip ridges develop within the first 17 weeks in the womb; this is to say that perhaps “This would seem to prove that for at least some adult homosexuals, their sexual orientation was pre-determined before birth, perhaps at conception; certainly by the end of the 4th month of pregnancy.” Another promising study dealing with fingers again is a study based on finger-lengths. Marc Breedlove, a psychologist, had 720 volunteers examined and questioned to find some relation in lengths of their fingers. Breedlove concluded that of the male homosexuals their index fingers were shorter relative to their ring fingers than heterosexual males. This is another study that is hinting toward homosexuality deriving far before birth and “perhaps at conception when a person's unique DNA is established” (Robinson). An additional study done by researcher Ray Blanchard looking to find proof in genes studied families having a homosexual male offspring. Studies have suggested “that a gay man is more likely to have older brothers than older sisters. He found that the probability that a male child will grow up as a homosexual increases by about 33% for each brother born before he was.” Blanchard assumes that the possibility of an immune response within the mother during pregnancy is immense (Robinson). These studies are presenting greatly better odds that the start of homosexuality began between conception and birth.
Although the amount of evidence and studies suggest a genetic cause to homosexuality, there are still many who believe otherwise due to questioning researchers’ credibility, environmental contamination, and the idea that proving homosexuality is out of one’s control will have little to no effect on discrimination. Dean Hamer has been the focus of controversy and rumors for years following his discovery of the gene location; however, once the media and the general public learned of Hamer being homosexual it seemed to concern a presumed level of bias. He was taken to courts where he was faced with a subpoena and cross-examination for finding the genetic location. Hamer was asked to testify on the topic concerning Amendment 2, where the judge finally ruled with, “The preponderance of credible evidence suggests that there is a biologic or genetic ‘component’ of sexual orientation” (Hamer & Copeland 212). He refused to decide on the controversial argument of nature vs. nurture; however, he ruled that day in December of 1993 that homosexuality is in fact a support of genes and biology. The accusations of Hamer and many other scientists such as Dr. LeVay and Professor Richard Green were finally settled and understood a little more (Hamer and Copeland 212). This is not to say bias or discrimination will disappear with studies of homosexuals, but it has been decided that for now there is a clear path to genes from homosexuality. The idea that providing the origin of sexuality will have no impact on discrimination is ludicrous. Each day humans are moved and driven by scientific analysis and conclusions that change the fabric of prejudice. One of the main hopes and steadfast anchors to spreading the news of genetic homosexuality is the media in all its many forms. Newspapers, columns, magazines, the internet, and countless news shows focus on this type of information to enthrall viewers. Proving the gay gene will not do away with discrimination forever and it certainly will not change everyone’s opinions of people, but there is hope that it affects and reaches enough people so as to begin changing the legalities and realities of homosexuality.
Scientists hope to continue research into finding the underlying cause of homosexuality in males. Puterbaugh looks to the future and shares the same optimism most researchers carry when he says, “In the decades to come, we may hope to see more studies of twins raised apart, a greater emphasis on longitudinal twin studies, a greater mass of data, and certainly more research into the startling possibility…that lesbianism may have an etiology entirely different from that of male homosexuality.” (xvii) Homosexuality has been a situation causing constant confusion, anger, misunderstanding, and injustice throughout the ages. All of mankind should hope for the mystery to be uncovered, for it will answer numerous questions and hopefully put to rest the centuries of discrimination for homosexuals. Finding the cause of homosexuality will solve so many problems throughout the world; through continued research and support, doctors, researchers, therapists, and everyday supporters will fulfill the definition of equality a little better. Humanity shouldn’t have to find proof that homosexuality is out of one’s control, but due to the prejudice and bias for being different it is a challenge humans must face. Pushing toward finding equality has always been America’s noble anchor; it was what America was founded on. Every day Americans are fighting for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a land where they were promised just that.
Homosexuality is not a new means in any way; it has existed for centuries developing names and understandings. Even though homosexuality has survived throughout all these years it still brings with it constant scrutiny, discrimination, misrepresentation, and confusion. If the gay gene isn’t discovered due to neglect and loss of support or an ultimate disagreement in the religious or political powers, humans could be facing a world of constant judgment and bias. For homosexuals living without this understanding it could mean many more years without national marriage rights or it could even mean having their children taken away. Dean Hamer witnessed a raw and honest statement while he was in court facing a subpoena due to his research: “Supporters said gays should not get “special” treatment, because they are not like racial minorities or other groups currently protected by law” (Hamer & Copeland 210). The future looks grim for homosexuals and in relation, looks just as bad for heterosexuals affected by the bias and disagreements. In a different future, one that has discovered the gay gene and proven that homosexuality is genetic gays could be facing more equality, acceptance, all parental privileges that most facing child custody courts were without, and being able to marry a person of the same sex in any state or any country. Undoubtedly the future holding the discovery of the gay gene would be a better world for everyone in it. These potential futures are why scientists are working very hard at finding the secrets to human sexuality.
If only there were two separate subjects with the same genetic makeup to more closely examine sexuality through genes; luckily for scientists an occurrence happens in the womb causing either one fertilized egg to split in half (monozygotic) or two eggs fertilized by the same sperm gene (dizygotic). Twins for centuries have impressed and mystified scientists, but now more than ever are they being examined more closely, for they hold the key to the gay gene. Several studies done with monozygotic twins show that of 57 pairs of male twins there is a concordance rate, a degree measured of shared traits among two people, of nearly 88 percent for homosexuality (Puterbaugh). This study illustrates that fifty pairs share the same sexual preference. The only drawback is the percentage of those who won’t admit to being gay is not calculated in. Assuming that some people will keep their sexual preferences to themselves throws off the balance of the test and keeps scientists from settling the nature/nurture debate for good. The outcome of most twin studies support genetic reasoning due to far more monozygotic twins showing concordance when the Dizygotic twins show slight to no concordance at all (Puterbaugh xiii). While monozygotic twins do show a higher similarity in homosexuality than Dizygotic twins, Heston and Shields have found through their research that “There is no evidence that monozygotic twins per se are particularly prone to homosexuality. The tendency is for concordance to be incomplete in series of MZ twins but to be higher than in corresponding DZ twins, a finding which once again points to the importance of both genetic and environmental causes” (65). Heston and Shields present the idea that there is an environmental issue playing a role in sexual development; however, the similarities in genes still sustain a genetic predisposition.
Another researcher of monozygotic twins, Bernard Zuger, presents his findings that out of a pair of monozygotic twins that showed very different gender behaviors and eventually showed opposite attractions in gender, “environmental factors have been found not to be significant in the development of the homosexuality, and therefore, the discordance in the psychosexual development of monozygotic twins cannot be ascribed to the differential effect of these factors on them” (78). Zuger provides the readers with his take that through the study of these twins it shows that the environmental factors did have an impact on both children, but biology still plays a large role in monozygotic concordance in homosexuality (75-77). Continuing to prove homosexuality runs through genes rather than environment is a study, “Homosexuality in Monozygotic Twins Reared Apart,” that takes a series of 55 pairs raised separately and of the male pairs it continues to show similarities in prior studies. The male monozygotic concordance numbers rise above that of the dizygotic numbers so much so that it’s hard to refute the genetic predisposition (Eckert et al. 123-134).
Maybe the solution to finding the gay gene in humans is to not study humans at all. Certain animals show the trait of homosexuality, when with certain ones, such as sheep, it is understood that their “upbringing” and the nurture division is not developed or accepted, due to the pure animal instincts and simple-mindedness. "Same-sex attraction is widespread across many different species." says Roselli, whose laboratory collaborates with Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. There is currently a five-year OHSU study being conducted on the endocrinology sexual preferences of sheep highlighted in EurekAlert journal. Around the world eight percent of rams show an elevated interest in other rams, rather than sheep. "They're one of the few species that have been systematically studied, so we're able to do very careful and controlled experiments on sheep," Charles Roselli said about the subjects he’s studying. Scientists at OHSU School of Medicine have been doing extensive studies with 27 sheep, nine of which are male sheep showing male interest, eight males interested in females, and ten ewes. Nerve cells in the hypothalamus, which controls metabolic function and reproduction, of rams show larger sizes than in ewes, to which scientists have named the ovine sexually dimorphic nucleus or oSDN. It is shown that the oSDN in female-oriented males is exceedingly larger with more neurons than in male-oriented males and ewes. Also providing evidence of endocrine sexuality is the amount of Aromatase, what adapts testosterone to estradiol for the hormone to assist typical male sexual manners, found in both male-oriented rams and normal ewes. It is the same level concluding the brain function and genetic makeup of homosexual rams and ewes have more concordance than compared to female-oriented rams. EurekAlert online journal states that, “In collaboration with geneticists at UCLA, Roselli has begun to study possible differences in gene expression between brains of male-oriented and female-oriented rams.” Hopefully in the next three years further development will begin to show more genetic and endocrine proof of homosexuality not only in sheep and animals alike, but also in humans (Modie).
Many believe going to the exact root of discussion about the gay gene is to actually study direct gene relations. Finding the gene locality and chromosome it is carried from will boost belief and understanding of this genetic anomaly. A very important name centered on providing one of the most important discoveries into finding its location, Dean Hamer of the National Cancer Institute, has discovered that out of countless studies done with homosexuality running in families most gay relatives come from the mother’s side of the family. He and his team at NCI have concluded that homosexuality runs through the mother, in which she provides the X chromosome (Robinson). Dean Hamer stated that, “Gay men have more maternal than paternal male relatives who also are gay. In retrospect, the family data not only helped tell us where to look, it also supported the linkage results” (Hamer & Copeland 139). This shows us specifically that the gene was carried on the X chromosome. Hamer continued in finding the exact location of the gay gene on the X chromosome, discovering that many of the gay males he was studying have an exact sequence on the Zq28 area of the chromosome. This shows the estimated setting for the gay gene. There is slight room for error and coincidence in which the article, “Six Studies into the Causes of Homosexuality” faces head on and states, “The statistical "p" value is a measure of the significance of a test: the probability that it could have happened by chance. P values less than 0.01 (1%) are considered very significant. The Hamer study had a P factor of 0.00001, and so is considered extremely reliable.” The fact that Hamer’s study is so steadfast and provides high-quality evidence and new discoveries for the gay gene boosts the confidence in many researchers (Robinson).
Understanding that homosexuality can develop within the womb is a main goal for most researchers, ensuring that the general population is closer to understanding the possibility of genetics. There have been many other studies done aside from the twin research or the direct studies of genes that focus on common characteristics of gay males which are decided and developed before birth. A study being done by J. Hall and D. Kimura at the University of Western Ontario concludes that there is a relation in fingertip ridges among male homosexuals. Tests have shown that “30% of the homosexuals tested had a surplus of ridges on their left hand, whereas only 14% of the heterosexuals did.” This is an interesting find; however it is not to say that the gay gene lies within the fingertips. The interesting part of this study is that fingertip ridges develop within the first 17 weeks in the womb; this is to say that perhaps “This would seem to prove that for at least some adult homosexuals, their sexual orientation was pre-determined before birth, perhaps at conception; certainly by the end of the 4th month of pregnancy.” Another promising study dealing with fingers again is a study based on finger-lengths. Marc Breedlove, a psychologist, had 720 volunteers examined and questioned to find some relation in lengths of their fingers. Breedlove concluded that of the male homosexuals their index fingers were shorter relative to their ring fingers than heterosexual males. This is another study that is hinting toward homosexuality deriving far before birth and “perhaps at conception when a person's unique DNA is established” (Robinson). An additional study done by researcher Ray Blanchard looking to find proof in genes studied families having a homosexual male offspring. Studies have suggested “that a gay man is more likely to have older brothers than older sisters. He found that the probability that a male child will grow up as a homosexual increases by about 33% for each brother born before he was.” Blanchard assumes that the possibility of an immune response within the mother during pregnancy is immense (Robinson). These studies are presenting greatly better odds that the start of homosexuality began between conception and birth.
Although the amount of evidence and studies suggest a genetic cause to homosexuality, there are still many who believe otherwise due to questioning researchers’ credibility, environmental contamination, and the idea that proving homosexuality is out of one’s control will have little to no effect on discrimination. Dean Hamer has been the focus of controversy and rumors for years following his discovery of the gene location; however, once the media and the general public learned of Hamer being homosexual it seemed to concern a presumed level of bias. He was taken to courts where he was faced with a subpoena and cross-examination for finding the genetic location. Hamer was asked to testify on the topic concerning Amendment 2, where the judge finally ruled with, “The preponderance of credible evidence suggests that there is a biologic or genetic ‘component’ of sexual orientation” (Hamer & Copeland 212). He refused to decide on the controversial argument of nature vs. nurture; however, he ruled that day in December of 1993 that homosexuality is in fact a support of genes and biology. The accusations of Hamer and many other scientists such as Dr. LeVay and Professor Richard Green were finally settled and understood a little more (Hamer and Copeland 212). This is not to say bias or discrimination will disappear with studies of homosexuals, but it has been decided that for now there is a clear path to genes from homosexuality. The idea that providing the origin of sexuality will have no impact on discrimination is ludicrous. Each day humans are moved and driven by scientific analysis and conclusions that change the fabric of prejudice. One of the main hopes and steadfast anchors to spreading the news of genetic homosexuality is the media in all its many forms. Newspapers, columns, magazines, the internet, and countless news shows focus on this type of information to enthrall viewers. Proving the gay gene will not do away with discrimination forever and it certainly will not change everyone’s opinions of people, but there is hope that it affects and reaches enough people so as to begin changing the legalities and realities of homosexuality.
Scientists hope to continue research into finding the underlying cause of homosexuality in males. Puterbaugh looks to the future and shares the same optimism most researchers carry when he says, “In the decades to come, we may hope to see more studies of twins raised apart, a greater emphasis on longitudinal twin studies, a greater mass of data, and certainly more research into the startling possibility…that lesbianism may have an etiology entirely different from that of male homosexuality.” (xvii) Homosexuality has been a situation causing constant confusion, anger, misunderstanding, and injustice throughout the ages. All of mankind should hope for the mystery to be uncovered, for it will answer numerous questions and hopefully put to rest the centuries of discrimination for homosexuals. Finding the cause of homosexuality will solve so many problems throughout the world; through continued research and support, doctors, researchers, therapists, and everyday supporters will fulfill the definition of equality a little better. Humanity shouldn’t have to find proof that homosexuality is out of one’s control, but due to the prejudice and bias for being different it is a challenge humans must face. Pushing toward finding equality has always been America’s noble anchor; it was what America was founded on. Every day Americans are fighting for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a land where they were promised just that.