Changes

*...most scientists today agree that [[sexual orientation]] is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. <ref>http://www.apa.org/topics/orientation.html#whatcauses</ref>

*...most scientists today agree that [[sexual orientation]] is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. <ref>http://www.apa.org/topics/orientation.html#whatcauses</ref>

For example, research suggests that adoptive brothers are more likely to both be homosexuals than the biological brothers, who share half their [[gene]]s. This data prompted the journal ''Science'' to report "this . . . suggests that there is no genetic component, but rather an environmental component shared in families".<ref>(''Science'', Vol. 262, page 2063, December 24, 1993)</ref><ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.asp</ref><ref>[http://www.freetobeme.com/r_biol.htm</ref> However, in regards to [[psychosocial]] and biological theories in regards to the origin of homosexuality, [[Columbia University]] [[psychiatry]] professors Drs. William Byrne and Bruce Parsons stated in 1994: "There is no evidence that at present to substantiate a [[biology|biological]] theory. [T]he appeal of current biological explanations for sexual orientation may derive more from dissatisfaction with the present status of psychosocial explanations than from a substantiating body of experimental data".<ref>http://www.cwfa.org/images/content/bornorbred.pdf</ref>

For example, research suggests that adoptive brothers are more likely to both be homosexuals than the biological brothers, who share half their [[gene]]s. This data prompted the journal ''Science'' to report "this . . . suggests that there is no genetic component, but rather an environmental component shared in families".<ref>(''Science'', Vol. 262, page 2063, December 24, 1993)</ref><ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.asp</ref><ref>[http://www.freetobeme.com/r_biol.htm</ref> However, in regards to [[psychosocial]] and biological theories in regards to the origin of homosexuality, [[Columbia University]] [[psychiatry]] professors Drs. William Byrne and Bruce Parsons stated in 1994: "There is no evidence that at present to substantiate a [[biology|biological]] theory. [T]he appeal of current biological explanations for sexual orientation may derive more from dissatisfaction with the present status of psychosocial explanations than from a substantiating body of experimental data".<ref name="cwfa">http://www.cwfa.org/images/content/bornorbred.pdf</ref>

Herbert Hendin wrote:

Herbert Hendin wrote:

{{Cquote|On July 16, 1993, it was reported in Science (pp. 291, 321) that geneticist Dean Hamer and his team at the [[National Cancer Institute]] had reported on a study involving 40 pairs of brothers both of whom were gay that had led them to conclude that they had discovered a factor on the X [[chromosome]] through which gayness was genetically transmitted to them from their mothers. This was hailed as proof that homosexuality in men is biological in origin. Two years later, however, Eliot Marshall reported in ''Science'' (June 30, 1995, p.268) George Ebers and George Rice of the University of Western Ontario had unsuccessfully attempted to replicate Hamer's findings and had "found no evidence that gayness is passed from mother to son" genetically. He also reported that the Office of Research Integrity in the Department of Health and Human Services was investigating Hamer's work.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/1996papers/silverman.html</ref>}}

{{Cquote|On July 16, 1993, it was reported in Science (pp. 291, 321) that geneticist Dean Hamer and his team at the [[National Cancer Institute]] had reported on a study involving 40 pairs of brothers both of whom were gay that had led them to conclude that they had discovered a factor on the X [[chromosome]] through which gayness was genetically transmitted to them from their mothers. This was hailed as proof that homosexuality in men is biological in origin. Two years later, however, Eliot Marshall reported in ''Science'' (June 30, 1995, p.268) George Ebers and George Rice of the University of Western Ontario had unsuccessfully attempted to replicate Hamer's findings and had "found no evidence that gayness is passed from mother to son" genetically. He also reported that the Office of Research Integrity in the Department of Health and Human Services was investigating Hamer's work.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/1996papers/silverman.html</ref>}}

In May of 2000, the [[American Psychiatric Association]] issued a fact sheet stating that "..there are no replicated scientific studies supporting a specific biological [[etiology]] for homosexuality.<ref> http://www.cwfa.org/images/content/bornorbred.pdf</ref>

In May of 2000, the [[American Psychiatric Association]] issued a fact sheet stating that "..there are no replicated scientific studies supporting a specific biological [[etiology]] for homosexuality.<ref name="cwfa" />

Recent experiments in molecular genetics found that when certain genes were mutated in male fruit flies, that the flies would mate with both females and males.  This finding has lent support to the position that homosexuality could have a genetic component.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=18066061&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum</ref>

Recent experiments in molecular genetics found that when certain genes were mutated in male fruit flies, that the flies would mate with both females and males.  This finding has lent support to the position that homosexuality could have a genetic component.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=18066061&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum</ref>

==Work of the Human Genome Project==

==Work of the Human Genome Project==

*Dr. Collins succinctly reviewed the research on homosexuality and offers the following: "An area of particularly strong public interest is the genetic basis of homosexuality. Evidence from twin studies does in fact support the conclusion that heritable factors play a role in male homosexuality. However, the likelihood that the identical twin of a homosexual male will also be gay is about 20% (compared with 2-4 percent of males in the general population), indicating that sexual orientation is genetically influenced but not hardwired by DNA, and that whatever genes are involved represent predispositions, not predeterminations." <ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/nothardwired.html</ref>

*Dr. Collins succinctly reviewed the research on homosexuality and offers the following: "An area of particularly strong public interest is the genetic basis of homosexuality. Evidence from twin studies does in fact support the conclusion that heritable factors play a role in male homosexuality. However, the likelihood that the identical twin of a homosexual male will also be gay is about 20% (compared with 2-4 percent of males in the general population), indicating that sexual orientation is genetically influenced but not hardwired by DNA, and that whatever genes are involved represent predispositions, not predeterminations." <ref name="narth">http://www.narth.com/docs/nothardwired.html</ref>

*Regarding the contributions of genetics to areas such as homosexuality, Dr. Collins concluded, "Yes, we have all been dealt a particular set of cards, and the cards will eventually be revealed. But how we play the hand is up to us."  <ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/nothardwired.html</ref>

*Regarding the contributions of genetics to areas such as homosexuality, Dr. Collins concluded, "Yes, we have all been dealt a particular set of cards, and the cards will eventually be revealed. But how we play the hand is up to us."  <ref name="narth" />

==See Also==

==See Also==