How homosexuality may have evolved

News Type: Other — Seeded on Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:25 PM EDT

Article Source: The Economist

science, gay, homosexuality, genes, genetic-science

THE evidence suggests that homosexual behaviour is partly genetic. Studies of identical twins, for example, show that if one of a pair (regardless of sex) is homosexual, the other has a 50% chance of being so, too. That observation, though, raises a worrying evolutionary question: how could a trait so at odds with reproductive success survive the ruthless imperatives of natural selection? Various answers have been suggested. However, they all boil down to the idea that the relatives of those who are gay gain some advantage that allows genes predisposing people to homosexual behaviour to be passed on collaterally.

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{"commentId":3654550,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}

Behind My Screen

Fantastic article.

This makes a lot of sense. Since there is a competitive advantage to the gene carriers, selective pressures have kept the gene active. I bet once we find the gene/s responsible, we will see that homosexuality among the population of people who have the gene is about as large as that of similar genetic advantages that can have contra-fitness outcomes, such as sickle cell, etc.

{"commentId":3654550,"threadId":"397401","contentId":"2032405","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}

1 vote

#1 - Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":3660555,"authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

tigerblade

if one of a pair (regardless of sex) is homosexual, the other has a 50% chance of being so, too.

I fail to see how that's any different than a "normal" person (i.e. not one of a pair). You have a 50/50 chance no matter what.

Granted, I'm no mathematician or statistician, but I don't see how a 50/50 chance is "science."

{"commentId":3660555,"threadId":"397401","contentId":"2032405","authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

#2 - Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":3661190,"authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}

Behind My Screen

no, you do nto have a 50/50 chance of being homosexual in teh general public. If that were the case, there would be a very large homosexual population, there isn't.

{"commentId":3661190,"threadId":"397401","contentId":"2032405","authorDomain":"behindmyscreen"}

1 vote

#2.1 - Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:49 PM EDT

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AGEING HIPPIE

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How homosexuality may have evolved

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