[thomaskurian89]

Since homosexuals don't usually have kids, their genes don't get passed on to the next generation. So it would seem that the gene for homosexuality ought to have died out fairly quickly. Then why is it still present?

[Nightstar-27]

maybe its recessive. There are also probably other factors like womb environment, hormones and brain structure. There are also theories that sexuality is a scale not a category. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsey_scale

[NYU2012]

You assume far too simple a model

(1) Homosexuals can and do have children -- homosexuals are not infertile people.

(2) You assume that only homosexuals carry a single gene which causes homosexuality -- that wouldn't make sense because then how would heterosexual parents have homosexual children? It's far more realistic, and it's currently believed that, genetic influence on homosexuality is not a single gene but a multitude of genes -- likely genes that are passive in in a large majority of the population (i.e. in heterosexuals).

[Harrifer]

You're assuming it's genetic.

[NYU2012]

(Original post by Harrifer)
You're assuming it's genetic.

As it currently stands, there's a strong indication that it has at least some genetic properties.

[Pindar]

Homosexuals for thousands of years have procreated with women because of social pressures.

The cause of homosexuality may have some genetic and environmental factors. Perhaps some may pass the genes (if they exist) whilst not necessarily having triggered them? Or possibly it could be mainly environmental and developed.

[najinaji]

I point you to this:

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by thomaskurian89)
Since homosexuals don't usually have kids, their genes don't get passed on to the next generation. So it would seem that the gene for homosexuality ought to have died out fairly quickly. Then why is it still present?

There are three possible theories, all with varying some evidence backing them. The truth is likely a combination of the three

1. Bisexuality transfer, or not being completely gay - homosexual genes (there are multiple) will be present in people of bisexual orientation, even those who are more heterosexual than homosexual, and so are passed on by those people's children. Genes linked to homosexuality may even be present in completely heterosexual people but not active or dominant, and so are passed naturally through the population

2. Stimuli theory - genes express themselves in different forms under different environmental stimuli. It may be that the genes linked to homosexuality expressed themselves in a different, evolutionarily advantageous or neutral way in the past, and that a change in stimuli associated with modern living (notably much larger societies) has caused them to express themselves in homosexual tendencies.

3. Fertility advantage - some of the genes linked to homosexuality actually primarily manifest themselves in enhanced fertility when present in the other gender. Genes that make guys more likely to be gay make their mothers/sisters much more fertile, and likewise with the fathers/brothers of lesbians. This means genes for homosexuality are conserved in the other gender as they have an advantage.

[thomaskurian89]

(Original post by najinaji)
I point you to this:

Thanks for the video; it was quite informative. I love listening to Dawkins when he isn't talking about atheism. BTW, who is he talking to?

[snozzle]

It might not be determined by biological factors.

[najinaji]

(Original post by thomaskurian89)
Thanks for the video; it was quite informative. I love listening to Dawkins when he isn't talking about atheism. BTW, who is he talking to?

I agree. We don't get to see him talk about biology that much anymore, and it's a shame. And I don't actually know who the other man is. I've seen him before though, and I think he may have something to do with gay rights in the US.

[EonBlueApocalypse]

(Original post by najinaji)
I point you to this:

Was about to post this, I love how Richard Dawkins says 'sneaky ****er' .

[ajensen]

As a psychologist I'd advise people to take the interactionist approach here. Homosexuality may have genetic influence but in my opinion, this is paired with environmental stimuli that socially 'nurture' an individual into becoming homosexual.

[Emilii]

Either the natural selection theory isn't all that accurate or the homosexual people aren't all that homosexual. I would think that even if a person is homosexual they would have to want to have sex with a person of the opposite sex. How could anyone be not even duly be curiuos about it and not experience that? It should be on everybody's bucket list lmfao

[GeorgetheAug]

Just because it's "Not a choice" does not mean it's 100% genetic/biological factors.

[maturestudy]

(Original post by thomaskurian89)
Since homosexuals don't usually have kids, their genes don't get passed on to the next generation. So it would seem that the gene for homosexuality ought to have died out fairly quickly. Then why is it still present?

Sexuality is not a binary function. People lie within a spectrum and can have different preferences at different times and in different situations. Many homosexuals have children; either through desire to nurture or social pressure. However, that is not the main problem with your argument.

Although there is some evidence for a genetic component of sexual orientation, the research suggests that homosexual traits are passed from a mother to her son. Straight women pass the homosexual trait on to there sons - there is no evidence that the gene is passed from a homosexual man to son because the gene lies on the X chromosome (men pass their Y chromosome on to sons).

In any event, the genetic element would only explain a minority, suggesting the others are gay due to social factors.

[Mr Dangermouse]

Was going to say that about straight women passing in the gay gene.

[mmmpie]

There are other factors besides genetics.

Environment in utero, for example. The more older siblings you have the more likely you are to be gay.

[wtfCharlie]

Bisexuality?

[TheHansa]

(Original post by Nightstar-27)
maybe its recessive. There are also probably other factors like womb environment, hormones and brain structure. There are also theories that sexuality is a scale not a category. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsey_scale

This. Bisexuality may be linked to homosexuality and gay men might have been used to look after the women when the macho men were out hunting and a man who swings boths ways could have pretended to be gay and sexed up the women when the other men were out.