By Camille
May 06, 2011
On Friday, May 06 2011, there were discussions on the Power102 FM radio station about homosexuality. A homosexual male called arguing that people are born homosexuals. In other words, he argued that homosexuality is genetically predetermined. Several callers challenged that claim. Dr. Raj Ramnanan, who also hosts a night programme on the said station titled Sexplosion, called in to the morning show and reiterated the claim that people were born homosexuals. Later that night on his show he repeated the statement and claimed that there are many scientific papers online that proves his point made earlier. The studies, he claims, explain how people are born gay.
He urged callers to search online about the “Gay Gene”. I did such a search and no results shows what he claims. These publications claim the opposite and have posited that environmental as well as other factors may result in homosexual preferences since there is no genetic evidence to suggest otherwise. I am sharing a collection of the articles that I read so far, and as I research more I will post them here.
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“This is the Way God Made Me”
A Scientific Examination of Homosexuality and the “Gay Gene”
2003 – Brad Harrub, Ph.D. and Bert Thompson, Ph.D. and Dave Miller, Ph.D. -
Is Homosexuality Inherited?
By Richard Horton, July, 1995
Richard Horton is the editor of The Lancet, the British medical journal. -
The Gay Gene: Assertions, Retractions, and Controversy
2003 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035
This web page was produced as an assignment for an undergraduate course at Davidson College. -
Is Homosexuality Genetic? The Gay Gene?
By Jeffrey Satinover, M.D.
Jeffery B. Satinover, M.D. has practiced psychoanalysis for more than nineteen years, and psychiatry for more than ten. He is a former Fellow in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry at Yale University, a past president of the C.G. Jung Foundation, and a former William James Lecturer in Psychology and Religion at Harvard University. He holds degrees from MIT, the University of Texas, and Harvard University. He is the author of Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth (Baker Books, 1996). -
Biology and sexual orientation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Biology and sexual orientation is the subject of research into the role of biology in the development of human sexual orientation. No simple, single cause for sexual orientation has been conclusively demonstrated, but research suggests that it is by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences,[1] with biological factors involving a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine environment.[2] Biological factors which may be related to the development of a heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or asexual orientation include genes, prenatal hormones, and brain structure. -
Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture
By Ryan D. Johnson – April 30, 2003
In recent decades, many hotly debated topics have come under the scrutiny of sociobiologists, trying to determine their causation and origins. One such topic is homosexuality. Originally thought by the American Psychological Association (hereafter referred to as APA) to be a mental disorder, research into its causes, origins, and development have consequently led to its removal by the APA from its list of diagnoses and disorders [1]. -
How homosexuality is ‘inherited’
BBC News: October 13, 2004
Scientists say they have shown how male homosexuality could be passed from generation to generation. -
Homosexual Activist Says There’s No “Gay Gene”
Am baffled, so pardon my intrusion. Are you, a relative or someone you know and love unconditionally ‘Homosexual’? Why the insistence to find an origin? Are people born straight’? Is there a ‘straight’ gene? Are we questioning creation and by extension, the Creator?
Kerwyn: Did you read my comment?
The fact that this was a heated discussion on the airways to the extent that it was discussed on three programmes that day indicates there are issues to be sorted out.
You may feel that you cannot put forward certain questions or views because your god may forsake you but I am not limited by those religious constraints.
I understand though the way many Christians (for example) think: god lay down the law and none must question him. But why then, if you believe in the Christian concept of god, did he bestow people with brains? Surely, asking questions fosters learning, right?
That being said, people have varying views about why some people are homosexual. Some believe that it is an immoral vice; some believe that it can be passed on genetically and therefore a natural part of the spectrum that is human sexuality; some believe that it can be caused by hormonal imbalances or mental health issues and therefore a sickness to be cured; and some (perhaps like you Kerwyn) believe that it is a sin.
My personal view, and so far, what overwhelming scientific evidence seems to suggest, is that homosexuality may result from non-biological factors such as one’s environment. In other words, there is no scientific evidence that points to homosexuality being passed on genetically. They do say though, which they are still trying to prove, that genetics may be a contributory factor. By extension, there is no evidence that heterosexuality is passed on genetically either. While heterosexuality ensures the survival of the humans (and other creatures too), it does not mean that other sexual arrangements can’t exist alongside as witnessed in nature. As far as I am concerned, sex is not strictly for procreation purposes. And I believe that one is free to choose who they want to engage sexually so long as it is not abusive, such as engaging with minors or forcing others.
But these are my views, and even though the scientific studies that I have read so far seems to validate some of my ideas, there is new research that seeks to challenge some of these views.
So the question remains: are people born gay?
Hi, I see that you are a listener to the show. My name should inform who I am.
Are you on FB, we could link
Marlon: I was the female voice that called Dr. Raj on his night programme who asked where people could get research to prove his assertion that people are born gay. He said that he didn’t have the information on him and suggested that callers search online about ‘the gay gene’, which I did. So far, none that I have come across validates his claim.
I also asked him if he explored his sexuality with the male gender and if, from a professional standpoint, he would advise others to explore with members of their own sex. He said that part of the reason he can expertly advise and teach people on matters of sex and sexuality is because he has experimented with sex with both males and females and he is still experimenting. An interesting set of views for another discussion, eh?
Perhaps we can link here through commenting on this thread?
Camille.
Cool, am not here often but pass by from time to time, glad to meet a regular listener as I am. Don’t listen to Raj tho, so I missed your call.
Gay Gene – Ha. Did God make man.
Certainly he would know.
Then why does God himself condemn it.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
(Rom 1:26-28 KJV)
Does this mean that God does not know what he is talking about and men with their finite minds know better. Hogwash!
Ian, please do not speak for God. Get your finite mind out of Bable created from the finite mind of other men and actually observe NATURE; then tell us with some knowledge what type of behavior is actually against it. Till then take your proselytizing elsewhere. King James was probably the biggest queer of all.
The Un-Manned have existed in nature for quite a long time:
http://gallae.com/His2.html
They can’t push thier agenda in Jamaica so now they bring it to TNT. Man and woman is how we reproduce. Not man and man or woman and woman. Therefore there doesn’t have to be a straight gene. Straight is normal human sexuality and behavior.
Who cares??? Love one another……have’nt we learnt anything yet from 2000 years of fighting for religion,race and power. One Love.
Whether we accept the fact or not, everyone is entitled to an opinion. All humans are created equal… whether we agree with homosexuality or not. What people chooses to do with their lives is not our problem, only what we choose to do with our life is! We should not prosecute or judge people who does no harm. That is called prejudice or discrimination — which should be illegal! Let God handle what needs to be handled, we do not need to intervene.