Posted on 05/26/2006 12:40:46 PM PDT by DBeers
Researchers are attempting to discover a genetic linkage to sexual orientation by studying one thousand pairs of gay brothers. This five-year study being conducted by researchers from Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago will be the largest study of this kind and is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
This study follows a similar genetic study, conducted in the 1990s that found some genetic correlation for sexual orientation.
That original study was conducted with 40 pairs of brothers and revealed evidence that there might be a linkage. When subsequent research couldn't replicate these findings, the scientists realized that they weren't working with a large enough sample size to provide the statistical power required to advance the research.
Previous twin studies have pointed to evidence that the linkage is due to heredity rather than environmental factors, but until the researches can isolate the genes that directly affect sexual orientation, they can't be sure.
"Family studies tell you that something is familial, that things tend to cluster in families," says Dr. Alan Sanders, MD who heads the gay brothers research study. "Then we ask what else tends to cluster in families. Genes do."
There is not a lot of research in this area but, like most genetic research, it is controversial.
"Genetics is controversial, says Sanders. "And specifically sexuality research, but this is where there is a great deal of interest."
"Folks don't like this kind of research, that shows that sexual orientation is genetically based," he says. "It undermines the argument that it is a choice."
If they find a genetic link for sexual orientation, then the argument goes, you don't blame people because they have blue eyes, why would you blame them for their sexual orientation? This kind of research undermines the choice argument and that bothers some groups who are out to prove that sexual orientation is something one chooses.
The genetics that Sanders and his colleagues believe is responsible for sexual orientation is complex genetics where multiple genes and environmental factors contribute to the trait, as in the case with intelligence.
"Some folks might have enough of a genetic contribution that they are going to be very intelligent no matter what, others might have a better chance, but it will depend on key things in the environment," he says. "That's the way a lot of things are that we study,"
Researchers also say they believe that more than one gene is responsible, rather than a one-to-one correlation - as in heredity - for something like eye color.
"Genes do more than one thing," says Sanders. "They have more than one function. Maybe the gene that contributes to sexual orientation does something else as well."
He says each gene contributes a varying amount to each trait. This is especially true for behavioral traits and personality traits such as novelty seeking, aggression or violence. Not just one gene is involved.
Sanders says the biggest challenge with this kind of research is finding the one thousand pairs of gay brothers. He and his colleagues have been searching for participants for several years and have recently beefed up their recruiting efforts and expanded the search worldwide.
Participation is simple. Interested participants are first asked to fill out a brief questionnaire. Then, they submit a blood sample or DNA saliva test. "That's the hardest part, the thing that requires the most effort is having blood drawn," he says. "We're hoping to switch, to DNA samples from saliva soon. That should help out."
All information obtained from participants will be kept confidential and will not become part of any medical records Sanders says.
Scientists want to get into gay brothers genes?........
I would submit the fact they are EXCLUDING identical twins establishes this study is 100% a waste of time.
If identical twins with identical DNA exhibit different sexual behavior then the homosexual gene premise is gone.
IOW the sample has been rigged. (and a waste of tax dollars. Seriously who put in the funding bill for this monstrous fake?)
See my post #14. The "researchers" separate nature from nurture at the outset. They will study physical characteristics that are most likely the results of a behavior (they skew the study in this direction by only sampling self declared adult homosexuals) and then they will attempt to claim physical results (a linkage) to an as yet unidentified innate "orientation"...
While they're at it, they need to do a new study of Gay Siamese twins. The Ben Dover Institute conducted one many years ago. It was funded by Doublemint Gum.
EXACTLY!!!!
Or, better yet, just study the entire family and calculate if more than one family member enjoys ingesting feces.
I notice they aren't talking about the sets of twins where one is a homosexual and the other isn't. Can you say 'agenda driven study'?
We couldn't prove the results we wanted so we need more people to get the results we still won't get?
LOL -I always like to use the analogy of seeking the "Religion Gene" with the punch line being that there are those that faithfully claim believe in a genetic basis for either the practice of Religion and or the practice of homosexual activity; HOWEVER, it is only Religious activity that is Constituionally guaranteed... Faith in homosexual activity is a non-starter...
LOL at that.
By the way, "1000 Gay Brothers" will be opening for Depeche Mode on the 15th at Jones Beach Amphitheater. Get your tickets now. /kidding.^_^
Wouldn't they be better served to find brothers where one is happy and the other is not ?
My brother is gay.
You know, I would love for someone to actually do such a study --- twins, no twins, gay and not gay and delve into the issue for real.
Why?
1. To answer the question for real.
2. And hypothetically, if there was a gene that made people succeptiable to being gay, it would be likely that a vaccine could be eventually created to turn it off.
All that said, I think it is largely, if not exclusively, environment and choice.
"Genes do more than one thing," says Sanders. "They have more than one function. Maybe the gene that contributes to sexual orientation does something else as well."
He says each gene contributes a varying amount to each trait. This is especially true for behavioral traits and personality traits such as novelty seeking, aggression or violence. Not just one gene is involved.
So this guy is basically saying that homosexualuality is still a personal choice, but it's the genes that make them "snappy dressers and put the skip in thier step?
"Next we have the FR gene."
Well, the libs all say we are insane and try to prove it.
Unless they're trying to find a way to 'repair' this gene, I don't see the point.
""Family studies tell you that something is familial, that things tend to cluster in families," says Dr. Alan Sanders, MD who heads the gay brothers research study. "Then we ask what else tends to cluster in families. Genes do." "
Same as alcoholism. Still doesn't mean you cannot overcome the abnormal attraction to the same sex just as you can overcome the abnormal attraction to alcohol!
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