Born_Gay_or_Learned_Behavior

Born Gay or Learned Behavior 1 Born Gay (Genetics) or a Learned Behavior Name Class Date Teacher Name Born Gay or Learned Behavior 2 Although it cannot be proven that being gay is genetic, it is also not a learned behavior. There will always be the argument that people are either born gay or it is just a learned behavior. Many studies and test have been performed on homosexual and heterosexual people to try and prove the correct answer to this debate. Although these test have been done on brain patterns, hormonal influences, the “gay” gene, and orientation or sexual preference; the answer to this argument is still left unanswered. The debate on whether being gay is genetic or not, will continue until researchers can provide more information on what exactly causes one person to become homosexual. The test on brain patterns were taken trying to prove that there are different patterns in the brain that causes individuals to be born gay. Homosexuality is caused by a change somewhere in the brain. In some studies, it showed that males and females have different brain patterns or structures. It showed that two of four Interstitial Nuceli of the Anterior Hypothalamus (INAH) were two times as large in males as in females (Deem, 2009). Because of this difference, Simon LeVay thought there would be a difference in homosexual and heterosexual individuals. He did a test on the brain patterns or structures of people who were affected by the AIDS virus and other male subjects. In this particular study, it showed that there was a difference in the INAH-3 between the two groups. The other male subject’s INAH-3 were twice the size of females and that of the individuals who were affected by the AIDS virus. The main problem or controversy with this study was the fact that most of the sexual identities of the male patients were unknown. Also, the fact that some had AIDS could have been the reason for the difference. Eventually a second study was done to show if Simon LeVay was correct or not in his findings. This particular study showed that there was a difference between males and females. However, there was no major difference between both groups, the homosexual and heterosexual men who had Born Gay or Learned Behavior 3 the AIDS virus. With this study, it proved that the AIDS virus caused the difference in Simon LeVay’s study, not sexual orientation. Most people, who argue that people are born gay, point out the possibility of a “gay” gene. Most studies researching this “gay” gene showed that most gay men have more gay relatives on their maternal lineage, especially when compared to their paternal lineage. Some researchers connected this to the X chromosome. The X chromosome is the sex chromosome. A man named Dean Hamer did a study to see if there was an influence at the region Xq28. The Xq28 region is the region in the brain where the X chromosome is located. If this were the case, gay brothers would have to share half of their alleles compared to less than half they would share with their heterosexual brothers. If there was no type of association, then they would all share half. A study of 40 pairs of gay brothers showed that they shared 82%, more than half of the expected amount (Deem, 2009). Another study showed a group of 32 gay brothers shared only 67% of alleles. An attempt was made to get the same results done by Dean Hamer. The result showed a lesser number of sharing than what Dean Hamer showed. As a result, there has been no proof of a “gay” gene from anywhere in the Xq28 region that has been affected by sexual orientation. People also consider the notion that hormonal influences must contribute to being gay. Many have wondered if homosexual men did not receive enough testosterone in the womb. Some have thought a different hormonal influence or balance in the womb may be the cause of homosexuality. The problem with this theory is there is no way to get the hormonal levels in the womb to prove it. Because of the lack of evidence of hormone levels in the womb, some researcher tried to examine the difference in skeletal structures. A study by T. J. Williams showed that a male may be homosexual by the amount of older brothers he might have. This Born Gay or Learned Behavior 4 would increase the androgens causing the individual to become homosexual. However, another study was done that contradicted the outcome of the Williams study. The studies that contained hormonal influences lacked evidence that would show if the hormones played any part in sexual orientation. Regarding sexual orientation or sexual preference, people have many views on this topic. Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sense of personal or social identity. This is based of that particular person’s attraction to someone. Some people say that you cannot help who you are attracted to. Other people think that everything is just a choice, and people choose to be gay. No matter who you talk to about sexual orientation or sexual preference, there will always be a difference of opinion regarding it. With people saying they are born gay, a little study was done regarding this. This study was done on females, which showed that half of them changed their sexual identity during the course of the study, which lasted two years. Other studies showed that in most people sexual orientation doesn’t change, but it does change or can change over time. This result happened more in females than in males. Sexual orientation studies in women are not done too often so the results are a little unclear. However, with men it’s done more often so it’s a little clearer. In many cases with women, their sexual arousal pattern does not particularly state her sexual orientation. In the cases with men, their sexual arousal pattern suggests if they are gay. According to Michael Bailey, a woman’s sexual arousal pattern is different from a man’s sexual arousal pattern. Michael Bailey says he has enough evidence to prove homosexuality is genetic but not enough to show how it happens. He thinks that a study or research into childhood gender nonconformity can help shed some light into it. With gay people and their siblings, many questions come up regarding their sexuality. Many Born Gay or Learned Behavior 5 studies are preformed trying to figure out if one twin is gay and one is straight and how is that possible. In a particular study done on twins, they showed that if one identical twin was gay; the other twin had more than a half a chance of being gay also (Abrams, 2007). The reason for this result is because they share the same DNA. Regarding fraternal twins, if one twin was gay the other had less than half a chance at becoming gay (Abrams, 2007). The reason being they don’t share the same DNA. There are a lot of questions out there regarding gay twins. Many people wonder why one twin is gay and the other is not, especially concerning identical twins. They have different traits even though they are from the same code. Michael Bailey is trying to figure out the answers to these types of questions. He is not concentrating on the DNA but at the point when the DNA is turned off. By focusing on this he wants to find the true genetic seat of homosexuality (Abrams, 2007). The major problem with the test results was that Mr. Bailey solicited in only gay newspapers. The results could have been biased based on this situation alone. As of this point in time, there is no major evidence to suggest that people are born gay. Just as there is no major evidence to prove that it is a learned behavior either. People just presume that because there is not enough proof to show it is genetic, that it must be a learned behavior. As many of the tests have shown, many things can change the patterns in our brains. Our emotions and stress levels can alter our connection in our brains, so it can be said that practicing homosexual activities can alter our brains as well. Earlier studies showed that the AIDS virus was the main cause for the difference in brain patterns not homosexual orientation. Some test showed that hormonal influences could possibly contribute to homosexual activity. However, these tests never measured the hormone levels. All the attempts to find the “gay” gene never proved a gene associated with homosexual orientation. These studies never showed the linkage Born Gay or Learned Behavior 6 between the Xq28 regions to homosexuality. The question of homosexuality being genetic could be answered if more studies were done using DNA, although, there are no tests being done as of this point. Until we have more specific answers regarding this topic, we will not be able to understand what causes individuals to become gay. References Abrams, M. (June 2007). Born Gay' Discover, 28(6), p. 58-83, p. 7. Retrieved March, 28, 2010, from EBSCOhost database. Deem, R. (2009). Genetics and Homosexuality: Are People Born Gay' The Biological Basis for Sexual Orientation. Retrieved March 28, 2010, from http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/genetics_of_homosexuality.html Swidey, N. (2005). What Makes People Gay'. Retrieved March 28, 2010, from http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/'page=full