is homosexuality a genetic disorder?

Fahad1

peace free-thinkers,

at my school, we were having a discussion about homosexuals. i told my teacher why is "gay/straight" so common these days? did gay people exist in the past? my teacher was unable to respond to the first question but she responeded the second one.

could someone, scientifically explain to me th fact that "people don't choose to be gay, it is a genetic disorder"

if we can arrive with a solid conclusion, then we shall decide by using the "given laws" in the quran to determine if homosexuality is accepted by allah or not...

salam alaikum.
i m quoting from http//members.aol.com/masadi/homos.htm

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II)THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

It was clearly recognized by experts who were objective and unprejudiced, that psychologically speaking homosexuality is an abnormal behavior. However large scale lobbying by homosexuals and certain psychologists brought in biases into this scientific field of inquiry and hence the truth got masked and the results are stated below

"Before 1973 the DSM listed
homosexuality as a sexual disorder. Protests by gay activist groups and many psychotherapists
eventually led to its elimination from the manual as a sexual disorder per se, but the DSM did retain a category called "ego dystotic homosexuality- the feeling of extreme distress over one's homosexual preference". DSM III R has dropped even this category, and the issue of homosexuality is no longer mentioned (Comer 480)."

"Until the early 1970's the U.S psychiatric establishment classified homosexuality as a
mental illness, but that designation was dropped amid increased political activity and efforts by
homosexuals to be seen as individuals exercising different sexual preferences rather than aberrant personalities (Encyclopedia Britannica, vol 6, 31)."

Homosexuality is proven to be a learned behavior according to experiments with clinical
cases of intersexuality. At puberty, the individuals in question were "generally attracted to the sex opposite to their sex of rearing This suggests that sexual orientation is primarily established in post natal experiences (Encyclopedia Britannica, vol 27, 247)

There has however been great debate concerning the nature versus nurture question concerning homosexuality

i)Brain Difference The most recent one seems to indicate a certain difference in certain parts of the brains of homosexual people. What has however not been resolved is whether such difference in the brains was the cause or the effect of homosexual behavior. Further many people in the sample studied had Aids and Aids in its later stages affects the brain. Therefore no strong conclusions can scientifically be drawn from such a study.

ii)Hormonal Differences when hormones are artificially altered in female animal's bodies
it makes them behave more like males even showing mating preference for members of the same sex. (Britannica, vol 27 ,248-249).

The same source however, also narrates that changing the hormone level postnatally does not mean that sexual preference for partners will change. The only thing that will change will be
the arousal level.

Therefore, based on the above, I believe I can justifiably conclude that abnormal sexual preference even when it becomes "normal" to a particular individual due to abnormal circumstances like the above, can be controlled. If every male took his sexual desires towards every attractive female to their conclusion, you can well imagine the galloping rate of rapes in this or any other society. Just because certain individuals experience sexual desires towards members of the same sex, because something went wrong somewhere, does not at all mean that they should engage in homosexual behavior or that their behavior be accepted without question or search for a solution.

iii) The Gay Gene Even though many "political" efforts have been made by gays to attribute sexual orientation to the infamous "gay gene," nothing conclusive has been found. The study that is cited has fallen our of favor due to the biased nature of the sample and its taking into account only gay men and not lesbians.

1)From psychiatrist Jeffrey Satinover, M.D.

"Like all complex behavioral and mental states, homosexuality is...neither exclusively biological nor exclusively psychological, but results from an as-yet-difficult-to-quantitate mixture of genetic factors, intrauterine influences...postnatal environment (such as parent, sibling and cultural behavior), and a complex series of repeatedly reinforced choices occurring at critical phases of development."

--J. Satinover, M.D., Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth (1996). Grand Rapids, MI Baker Books.

William Byne, a psychiatrist with a doctorate in biology, and Bruce Parsons (1993) carefully analyzed all the major biological studies of homosexuality. They found none that definitively supported a biological theory of causation. --W. Byne and B. Parsons, "Human Sexual Orientation The Biologic Theories Reappraised."

Archives of General Psychiatry 50, no.3.)

3)Psychiatrists Friedman and Downey state that "a biopsychosocial model" best fits our knowledge of causation, with various combinations of temperament and environmental events leading to homosexuality. They say

"Despite recent neurobiological findings suggesting homosexuality is genetically-biologically determined, credible evidence is lacking for a biological model of homosexuality."

--R. Friedman, M.D. and J. Downey, M.D., Journal of Neuropsychiatry, vol. 5, No. 2, Spring l993.

4)From sociologist Steven Goldberg, Ph.D.

"Virtually all of the evidence argues against there being a determinative physiological causal factor and I know of no researcher who believes that such a determinative factor exists...such factors play a predisposing, not a determinative role...I know of no one in the field who argues that homosexuality can be explained without reference to environmental factors."

I would like to add as a conclusion. If we take the arrow of implication backwards, some people have a predisposition to alcohol, that doesn't mean that they should abuse alcohol and that no therapy is effective.

5)An article on genes and behavior in Science magazine says

"...the interaction of genes and environment is much more complicated than the simple "violence genes" and intelligence genes" touted in the popular press. Indeed, renewed appreciation of environmental factors is one of the chief effects of the increased belief in genetics' effects on behavior. The same data that show the effects of genes also point to the enormous influence of non-genetic factors."

--C. Mann, "Genes and behavior," Science 2641687 (1994), pp. 1686-1689.

For more information on the "gene" factor this site (from which the above 5 quotes are taken )is helpful

http//www.narth.com/docs/bornway.html

arnoldyasin

Peace,

Homosexuality is a psychological unbalance. It has nothing to do with genetics. A person can have an unbalance in his/hormones that will increase the psychological unbalance. The article saladin posted is a good one. I also recommend people to read what Jung said about this.

unknownuser

Peace all

I wasn't posing that there is a 'gay gene' per se, but there are abnormalities that occur at the time of fetal development that lead to ambgiuous genitalia and other physical and hormonal abnormalities that CAN be attributed later in life as homosexuality, when in reality it isn't.

Peace

Alen

As salamu alaykum.
Respectfully.

I agree with arnoldyasin.
It's not in our DNA because then we would all be gays or lezbians but something happens in person's life that he or she becomes .... that.

As salamu alaykum.

elijah

I wonder how arnoldyasin can be so confident that homosexuality has nothing to do with genes and is the result of hormonal imbalance. There is no evidence that supports this claim that homosexuality is the result of hormonal imbalances. HAd scientists known that, it would have been easy to convert gays to staraight guys through hormonal therapy.

I believe homosexuality is the result of BOTH genetics & the environment which interact with each other in complex ways.

And Ichepren's post may seem impressive but it is actually a bit childish & demonstrates unfamiliarity with genetics.
Ichepren faild to consider that gay guys can also be born of lesbian mothers. Many scientists have noticed that homosexuality seems to run in families. One more important thing which many people do not know is that its NOT necessary that if you do not have any genetic disorder, you do not have that gene. You MAY have it....but its just that it did not get expressed because it COULD have been RECESSIVE and NOT DOMINANT gene. Genetic disorders seems to run in families but it does not necessarily get EXPRESSED in all children or in the present generation. A little knowledge of genetics will help you understand better what I'm saying. Ichepren's line of reasoning is therefore flawed. It could be that your mother or father could be carrying a certain gene but you did not inherit it BUT the next generation may inherit it. This is how genetic traits work & are transmitted. Also if we accept what Ichepren says, it would then follow that the fathers of all homosexual children are gays or bisexuals which is quite ridiculous! Homosexual men or women are NOT just born directly from homosexual mothers or fathers. There is no data to support this claim. Had that been the case, homosexuality would have been a very simple issue, which it clearly is NOT.

I'm not saying here that homosexuality is fully genetic nor am I trying to justify it. I'm just pointing out what I consider are flaws in this kind of thinking.

God bless

Al-Quraishi

I wonder how arnoldyasin can be so confident that homosexuality has nothing to do with genes and is the result of hormonal imbalance. There is no evidence that supports this claim that homosexuality is the result of hormonal imbalances.

Exactly the same thing can be said about you in Arnold Yasin's stead, where is the slightest shred of evidence to support homosexuality's genetic causes?

HAd scientists known that, it would have been easy to convert gays to staraight guys through hormonal therapy.

Had Scientists known that it had genetic causes then it would be easy to convert gay guys to straight guys through gene therapy! rotfl

Many scientists have noticed that homosexuality seems to run in families.

How on Earth have 'many scientists' managed to find this out? I doubt any society on this planet in the last 1000 years has been accepting of homosexuals, western society has been a little more comfortable with it for the last 20, so how on Earth have they managed to root out which parent, grandparent and uncle has been gay?

Perhaps if you really want to support your point of view you should bring forth all this research from these 'Many scientists' instead of patronising people and making the very same weak comments that you are incorrectly accusing others of using on this thread.

There is no proof of the gay gene, Period.

SwedenMajidah

Peace all,

It seems like the homosexuality is a mystery because if it's not the genes and not the hormones and it cannot be a trend or a suddenly lust for the opposite gender so what is IT???

It must be something in the brain because it's there all signals will go through.

But a question is, this phenomene is of very old origin maybe even before the people of Lut. But still we see homosexuality as something new and undiscovered. wonder why?

Can it be due to the forbidden stamp both the Bible and Quran declares?

I think some kind of homosexuality lays down in all of us, but the one who cannot control it will begin to practise it on a daily matter.

I can take myself for an example, I can feel attractive to another woman sometimes and I can start having dirty thoughts but then I will wake up and pardon myself.
I think this is very common and not so many talk about it. But this is of course bisexuality and that must be more common than pure homosexuality yeah

Peace Maria

nadeem

Hi there,

What puzzles me, is that homosexuality is associated with behavior that has nothing do with the act of having sex with the same gender.

For example, if a guy behaves in a feminine way... He's gay.
If he's got good taste in interior and design...He's gay.
If he understands women...He's gay.
If he is gentle and not 'too' masculine...He's gay.
If his clothes are clean, and he is concerned with hygiene...He's gay.
If he's close to his mother...He's gay.
If a guy shows that he too has feelings...He is DEFINITLY gay!

What the..?

Why is this so?

I really really want to come in touch with my feminine side, develop a good taste in design and interior, understand women(assuming it's possible), be gentle and not overly masculine, be dressed in clean clothes and stay hygiene aware, be close to mother, and have feelings, WITHOUT being gay!

Is that possible?

Sorry for going off-topic. peace

Nadeem

Andya_Primanda

Hi there,

What puzzles me, is that homosexuality is associated with behavior that has nothing do with the act of having sex with the same gender.

For example, if a guy behaves in a feminine way... He's gay.
If he's got good taste in interior and design...He's gay.
If he understands women...He's gay.
If he is gentle and not 'too' masculine...He's gay.
If his clothes are clean, and he is concerned with hygiene...He's gay.
If he's close to his mother...He's gay.
If a guy shows that he too has feelings...He is DEFINITLY gay!

What the..?

Why is this so?

I really really want to come in touch with my feminine side, develop a good taste in design and interior, understand women(assuming it's possible), be gentle and not overly masculine, be dressed in clean clothes and stay hygiene aware, be close to mother, and have feelings, WITHOUT being gay!

Is that possible?

Sorry for going off-topic. peace

Nadeem

And there's also the fact that some actual gays are not overtly feminine.

It's more of a fear of 'losing masculinity'. I've read that in cultures, women do not need to prove their femininity, but men are expected to prove their masculinity. Whether it be from killing a lion in the ancient days or earning enough money to waste it on an extravagant sports car today.

bmbmm

Homos have nothing to do with genetics. Its a disease and can be cured.

unknownuser

What about homosexual animals,do they have a disease or are they following the laws of nature?

unknownuser

salaam all,

i can't believe how people around the world are so "americanized"! let me explain

being close to your mother does not mean you are gay, this is an americanized cultural syndrome where people demands freedom when they are 18 or above, where guys are glued to internet porn... when they have very little respect for their parents.(arnoldyasin was right, pornography is indeed very harmful despite its partial cure for stress for limited time.)

people in other cultures are also very close to their mamas, but that is twisted logic to imply that they are gay!!! for example, spanish, indian cultures are very family oriented and the boys grow up marryin' straight! what makes you say that they are Gay!?!

having sufficient knowledge on women's/men's clothing doesn't make you gay because hey, what if the guy wanted to pursue a career on clothing? (although in america it is assumed you are gay because of these characteristics...)
about understanding women's tastes and behavior does not make you gay... again, americanized misinterpreted culturul syndrome. it could be noted that you grew up in an environment with more females than males around you.
americanized teenagers try to show off their cold side... they feel that showing off thier emotions(such as crying..) is considered weak and feminine. women have complete control of emotions and feelings in america(for the most part) because guys worship their outer appearence...

based on these limited evidences, i now conclude homosexuality and its influence is more strictly related with "americanized culture" than anything else, i wonder what you guys think? am i correct?

peace, rifat

Tay

Peace rifat, all,

This is one of the more complex issues to deal with and I don't think there is any one answer. I believe there exists many 'reasons' for homosexuality.

First and foremost, and probably the worst in the eyes of God, is gross disregard for sexual self-control. This is animalistic, as can be witnessed in nature.

Second is social pressure. Boys not athletic or macho enough get picked on and passed over and labeled as "gay" from very early on. This gets amplified through adolescence and young adulthood until they realize that admitting to this label would open the doors and the arms of an entire culture of other gay people. Same for young girls who were "tomboys".

Third is upbringing and social damage. Kids brought up primarily by one or more person(s) of the opposite sex can fall into picking up those tendencies. More potent, however, is molestation at a young age.

And fourth is predisposition - whether genetic or hormonal or whatever, some people are just born attracted to the opposite sex.

I think in all cases, and I'm sure there are more, people can learn to undo their tendencies. I base this on the fact that people can curb other behaviors that are not accepted by society. But I wouldn't swear on it, because frankly, I've never experienced it. And if someone told me that being attracted to women is wrong, and that I had to curb this behavior, I really don't know if I could do it.

Peace,
Tay

Dion

Homosexuality is psycological disorder and has nothing to do with genes or hormones, that is what I - the expert believes -X.
We know that Vinona Ryder had a problem with theft, psycological problem. This is not hormonal or genetic disorder.
I read sometimes ago about a women that has orgasm if being arrested... this cannot be hormonal or family tradition.
We know that people have orgasm through cyber sex. This cannot be genetic since there was no network 20- 30 years ago, right? and for sure its not hormonal disorder.
Its all in our head.

unknownuser

Sex starts in the mind; usually the more creative/forbidden in the psyche the more stimulating.

Regardless of cause, it is still a choice whether to act on those urges as in committing adultery.

1224
And she desired him and he desired her, had it not been that he saw His Lord's proof; it was thus that We turned evil and lewdness away from him; he is of Our loyal servants.