Genetics of Sexuality
What role do genes play in shaping same-sex attraction and behavior? Scientists have long been intrigued by this question, with the search for a "gay gene" driving a number of studies over the past few decades. Now, a massive study with nearly 1/2 million participants has laid to rest the notion that a single gene could determine whether someone is gay.
That doesn't mean that same-sex attraction and behavior aren't biologically influenced. Dr. Brendan Zietsch, a geneticist at the University of Queensland in Australia and the study's co-author, explains, "We find that there are many, many genes that predispose one to same-sex sexual behavior. Each of them individually has a very small effect, but together they have a substantial effect (Choi, n.d.)."
There is much more research yet to be done, but scientists have a clearer picture than ever before of how genetics influences a predisposition toward same-sex attraction and behavior.
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Read about the study's findings in this short but informative article from LiveScience.
The 'Gay Gene' is a Total Myth, Massive Study Concludes
Want to learn more? Check out this website created by the scientists who conducted the study.
References:
Choi, Charles Q. (n.d.). The 'Gay Gene' is a Total Myth, Massive Study Concludes. LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/no-single-gene-makes-someone-gay.html
Genetics of Sexual Behavior. https://geneticsexbehavior.info/
