Tom3k said:
Slimebeast said:
Yes, I know the implications of his argument - namely that genetic markers in combination with epigenetic factors could cause the hormonal changes needed to produce an altered sexuality in the brain (through the mechanisms you explained). I'm not against that theory at all. It most likely explains a large part of homosexuality prevalence.
But he makes a big deal out of the markers only (because they're genetically tied and therefore could suggest that homosexuality is an evolutionary selected trait), and ignores the possibility that there are cases where no genetic predisposition is needed. Just a hormonal imbalance during embryonal development resulting in a homosexual brain, just like other common embryological disturbances that aren't linked to any genetical predisposition.
No matter what he says, the facts are that:
1. we know hormonal imbalances during embryonal development can alter a person's sexuality
2. we've discovered genetic markers that are shared between some groups of homosexuals (only male homosexuals as far as I know, and not by all of them).
Those are the facts. But that doesn't mean these two things are connected, and it certainly doesn't mean that they're always connected like he claims. To go beyond those facts and connect them is just speculation, which I was very clear about.
He also is very dogmatic about the definition of "disorder".
He lastly put forward another factor, whether the brain is the chicken or the egg, but when it comes to this topic, and disorders in general, that's irrelevant.
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I'm curious... Which markers? Are you talking about so called "HMS1 homosexuality 1" that is apparently located on Xq28?
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I suppose. Those are the ones I am aware of since I studied the subject over 10 years ago in med school (on a small litterature study I made, actually promoting the theory that homosexuality is geneticially linked and evolutionary selected for through the kin-mechanism).
I'm not updated though, but one would think they should have found other markers by now (if there really is strong disposition for this trait). But I haven't read any big news about it so I suspect they haven't made any major discoveries yet.
Do you have some interesting to tell us about the whole thing?
