In 1991, a study published in the journal Science seemed to show that the hypothalamus, which controls the release of sex hormones from the pituitary gland, in gay men differs from the hypothalamus in straight men. The structure of the brain might influence sexual preference. That argument is based on the assumption that sexual preference is purely biological therefore, it has no place in a discussion about the possible causes of homosexuality. Some people might argue that if you are “genetically gay” but the thought of homosexuality nauseates you, then you just haven’t accepted the fact that you really are gay. What you have learned about homosexuality as you were growing up will affect whether you consider engaging in homosexual acts to be desirable or disgusting. Most Americans would be probably be nauseated if they learned that, when they thought they had been eating beef, they were, in fact, eating dog, even though there is nothing inherently unhealthy about dog meat. Your upbringing can influence what you find desirable and what you find repulsive. Today, ritual male homosexuality plays an important role in some cultures in New Guinea. Male homosexual behavior was expected in ancient Athens. In some societies, homosexuality is accepted, in others, it is frowned upon but tolerated, in yet others, it is a serious criminal offense, possibly punishable by death. Your culture affects your views on homosexuality. People adhere to cultural constraints of monogamy despite being attracted to people other than their spouses. Throughout history, marriages have been influenced by family relations and by economic needs. Your environment affects your sexual and romantic relationships.
You would learn, from an early age, how to control your aggressive tendencies. If you grew up in a family or as part of a culture where aggression was not well accepted, you would be less likely to be aggressive. Children learn to behave aggressively when they witness aggression being rewarded. There are factors besides a “warrior gene” that contribute to aggression. If you come from a culture where alcohol consumption is forbidden, it will be difficult for you to become an alcoholic, no matter how your body metabolizes alcohol. The existence or absence of a protein can have an effect on things like alcohol tolerance or mood.Īffecting something is not the same as having complete control over it.Įnvironment, like genetics, plays an important role in how our behavior develops.Īlcoholism runs in families not only because there is a genetic component to alcoholism, but also because children learn how to cope with stress by watching how their parents and their older siblings behave in stressful situations. Genes regulate the production of amino acids, which combine to form proteins. Genes can’t control behavior completely, though. There have also been headlines about an “alcoholism gene”, which makes people become alcoholics, and a “warrior gene”, which makes people unusually aggressive. This led to media headlines about the possibility of the existence of a “gay gene” and discussions about the ethics of aborting a “gay” fetus. In 1993, a study published in the journal Science showed that families with two homosexual brothers were very likely to have certain genetic markers on a region of the X chromosome known as Xq28. We know, from many twin and adoption studies, that sexual preference has a genetic component.Ī gay man is more likely than a straight man to have a (biological) gay brother lesbians are more likely than straight women to have gay sisters. What does science tell us about sexual preference? (The fourth option, that gay people have no choice but to be gay, but should be punished for it anyway, is morally unthinkable.) Perhaps sexual preference can be changed – and people have the right to engage in gay sex and have homosexual relationships if they choose to do so. Isn’t it fantastic that, by an amazing coincidence, there is no way to stop it?” “Homosexual behavior should be allowed to take place. How wonderful it is that nobody has to be gay!” These two answers have something in common: With both of them, the science conveniently supports the moral decision. Government should protect gay people from discrimination because homosexuality is an unalterable aspect of their identity. Sexual preference is biologically determined. They are making an immoral choice, which government should discourage. Ask this question, and you will probably receive one of two responses: