No single gene associated with being gay
Massive Study Finds No Available Genetic Cause of Queer Sexual Behavior
Few aspects of human biology are as complex—or politically fraught—as sexual orientation. A clear genetic link would suggest that gay people are “born this way,” as opposed to having made a lifestyle choice. Yet some fear that such a finding could be misused to “cure” homosexuality, and most research teams contain shied away from tackling the topic.
Now a modern study claims to dispel the notion that a single gene or handful of genes make a person prone to lgbtq+ behavior. The analysis, which examined the genomes of nearly half a million men and women, initiate that although genetics are certainly involved in who people choose to contain sex with, there are no specific genetic predictors. Yet some researchers scrutinize whether the analysis, which looked at genes related with sexual activity rather than attraction, can sketch any real conclusions about sexual orientation.
“The message should remain the same that this is a complex behavior that genetics definitely plays a part in,” said study co-author Fah Sathirapongsasuti, a computational biologist at genetic testin
No single gene can predict an individual’s sexual orientation
Prior research has shown that genetics is partly committed in sexual orientation but not been able to identify specific involved genes. The current study involving more than 490,000 participants found five genetic variants that were more usual in subjects who reported having had same-sex sexual partners. Two of the genetic variants occurred in both males and females while two were only identified in men and another only in women. This suggests that the sexual preferences of men and women are influenced by partly different genetic signals. Altogether, measured genetic variants had limited influence on sexual preference, between 8 to 25 percent, according to the study.
The researchers emphasize that although certain genetic variants withstand out on the collective level, genetics cannot be used to predict an individual’s sexual preference and that different environmental and sociocultural factors also compete a role.
No ‘gay gene’
“The study clearly shows that there is no so-called ‘gay gene,’ but rather, as in many complex human behaviors, many genetic variants are involved that each has a very weak effect but together do have
No single 'gay gene', reveals the largest-ever study of the genetics of queer sexual behaviour
Scientists contain again debunked the idea of a single "gay gene", in the largest study to dine of the genetics of same-sex sexual behaviour.
Key points:
- Researchers scanned the human genome for genetic markers associated with queer sexual behaviour
- Many genes influence a person's likelihood of having had same-sex partners, but they hold only a little effect on behaviour
- Some people question whether the benefits of this type of research outweigh the potential dangers
Rather, their findings paint a diverse and complex picture of human sexuality, and the genetic factors that influence it.
Nearly half a million people took part in the study, mostly from the Joined Kingdom and the United States, which was published in the journal Science today.
While we've recognizable from previous twin and family studies that our sexual preferences are influenced by our genes, it's been complicated for scientists to pinpoint whether any specific genetic markers could play a role.
While most previous studies have committed only a not many hundred or a few thousand partic
No single 'gay gene' suggest genome studies
The largest study to date into the genetic basis of sexuality has initiate that there is no single gene associated with gay sexual behaviour.
The findings, based on the genomes of nearly 500,000 participants, mirror the results of previous, smaller studies - although sexual choice has a genetic component, no free gene has a determining effect on sexual behaviours.
'There is no "gay gene",' said Dr Andrea Ganna, a geneticist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and first author of the explore published in Science.
Dr Ganna and his colleagues used a genome-wide association learn (GWAS) to look at the genomes of hundreds of thousands of people for single-letter DNA changes called SNPs. If lots of people with a certain trait – here, for same-sex sexual preferences – distribute a common SNP, it is likely that the SNP is related to the given characteristic.
In order to obtain such a massive sample size, the team used genomic data that had previously been calm as part of broader projects. These included DNA facts and responses from participants of the UK Bi
A single 'gay gene'? Doesn't exist, says science
'Born this way'? Possibly, but there's no single gene to determine sexual orientation, a new study reveals
Image source: Unsplash/Levi Saunders
News • Sexual orientation & DNA
Genes alone cannot be used to determine an individual’s sexual orientation. A new examine found only five out of hundreds of thousands genetic variants occurred somewhat more often in people who had had gay partners. This suggests human sexuality is influenced by a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors, according to the researchers.
The study, which has been published in the journal Science, is based on data from the UK Biobank, the U.S. corporation 23andMe and the Swedish Twin Registry at Karolinska Institutet.
Prior research has shown that genetics is partly involved in sexual orientation but not been competent to identify specific emotionally attached genes. The current examine involving more than 490,000 participants found five genetic variants that were more common in subjects who reported having had queer sexual partners. Two of the genetic variants occurred in both males and females while two were only identified in men and another