IMPORTANT QUESTION: Genetics, how about it? - Homosexuality (Jul/14/2005 )

We all know Humans are able to become homosexual but can animals? Are they born with it, like can it be something genetic or can it develop. I heard from a friend that there is a theory that sometimes, in a family group of animals there may be a designated homesexual individual who's prime role is to care for the vulnerable youth and there is no need for these individuals to reproduce due to certain circumstances like they may be weaker than others in that family group or something like that, and there is no need for their genes to be passed on as they may be somewhat invaluable to the family group or whatever. Is this true?

hmmmm!

So do you think homosexuality is a genetic trait or the result of environmental influences, or both?

Seeing as gay men/women dont tend to have children i would say that it is more likely the result of environmental influences.

Could it be something to do with controlling population size?

So many ideas on the subject!

I won't be surprise if some group identifies a "gay gene"

On a serious side, it would not make sense for it to be a genetic trait since the goal of our DNA is to be transfer to the next generation. Like mnqcljsm said, gay gene would be a dead-end road. so IMO the gay phenotype is probably linked to enviromental factors/influences.

Since gay marriages are legal here in Canada and in some states, it will interesting to see the sexual orientation of adopted children of gay marriages.....

I wonder if there have ever been any identicle twins, where one has been homosexual and the other has been heterosexual.

That would be interesting to see.

I read in New Sxcientist a few weeks ago that a likely candiate had been identified as the 'gay gene' for males anyway. The researchers claimed that the gene is carried by females and is actually a gene for 'being attracted to men'. This explains why it is not lost through not being passed on.

There are also many published papers on animal homosexuality. Baboons I believe are good example, whereby lesbian sex is used to diffuse aggravated situations.

you're joking right? about the lesbo baboons!

about the baboons, absolutely not joking, there was a big article on it in New Scientist a couple of years ago. The article tracked the career of some woman zoologist who had spent years observing many species and noting homosexual behaviour.
Also see work of Dr Bruce Bagemihl.
That isn't me by the way

if homosexuality is seen in other species then it could imply that it is in fact genetically influenced and perhaps also has some evolutionary function, although i'm struggling to think of one.

I have read theories for evolutionary function of homosexuality. Mostly based on socio-biology and group behaviour stuff. There is a lot of info on the net.

To make your stomach churn, take a look at this vial web page.

http://www.narth.com/docs/animalmyth.html