ASC 128 Ethics in the New Genetic Era

Presentation Write Up

INTRODUCTION

Homosexuality has been around since history began. Gays are found in every racial, religious, and ethnic group, in every culture, and in all kinds of societies, from the most modern nations to the most primitive tribes. Because it is so widespread, most experts do not believe it is just environmental. Some believe it is inborn and is now being linked to genetic factors.

In this paper I will discuss the biological factors that could possibly link homosexuality to genetics. I will to explain the different studies that have been performed and their outcomes and criticisms. I will also discuss the religious, moral and ethical views that homosexuals face in our society.

HISTORY OF HOMOSEXUALITY

Homosexuals have always been a part of human society since history began. Attitudes have varied on the subject throughout history. Some feel homosexuality is regarded as perfectly natural, acceptable, and even desirable. While others feel it is a vile sin and perverted. But, whatever the attitude, homosexuals, like heterosexuals, have always been around. Homosexuality has taken place in every society, from the Polynesian to the Eskimo. In certain tribes, the rite of passage is performed through a homosexual act, as a part of cleansing. For the Greeks, homosexuality was a way of life. The Spartans used it as part of their military training. Every young man would have an adult lover who would teach him the arts of war. They would fight side by side, and the ideas was that the "beloved" young man would inspire the "lover" adult to perform brave acts, who would not want to be disgraced in the eyes of his beloved.

Female homosexuality was not as publicized. The term lesbian comes from the Greek poetess Sappho who lived on the island of Lesbos. Sappho was also married and had a daughter, but was sexually attracted to women.

There were many famous and powerful men in Rome that engaged in homosexuality: Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony, Augustus Caesar, Caligula and Hadrian.

As history progressed, homosexuality was not tolerated. People were being persecuted because of their sexual orientation and either had to go into hiding or be exiled out of their country. After WWII, life was getting better for homosexuals, but was still considered a crime in some states. The 60's and 70's brought on the gay movements, marches, and activist fought long and hard for freedom and rights.

PSYCHOLOGICAL IDEAS ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Psychologists have different views of why people are gay. Some say that most sissies will grow up to be homosexuals, and most gay men were sissies as children. Freud had a few ideas on homosexuality. Early in his findings, he felt that homosexuality was a non-pathological variation of behavior with innate foundations. But later on he came to see homosexuality as a psychological development caused by inadequate or inappropriate parenting. He felt the "castration complex," which a man develops when he realizes his mother doesn't have a penis. For fear of losing his own penis, it drives the man to have sex with other men not women. An even more popular theory is that homosexuality is caused by a failure to breath the sexual bond with a smothering or dominant mother. This is supported by a weak or absent father who does not provide a male role model. Freud's theory gave people the idea that gay people were sick, and could change and be happier for it.

Behaviorists believe in a couple of theories. One is the shaping of the individual. This theory states that the adult sexual preferences are shaped largely by early pleasurable erotic experiences. Social learning theory focus more on the homosexual development as a result of societal expectation. People are gay or straight because they are taught to be that way.

HOMOSEXUALITY AND GENETICS

The question remains of whether homosexuality is a choice or is it genetic. Many people argue that it is not a choice. Nobody would choose a life that is difficult and faces ridicule and discrimination. We do not know the cause of homosexuality, but scientists are starting to reveal some very interesting research that may proved that being gay can be genetically determined, or an individual my be genetically predisposed to be gay. It has been shown that among families, family members who are gay is very high. Over 60% of identical twins, if one is homosexual, the other is too. Non-identical twins, 22% are gay.

Several genetic studies have been done that appears to genetically link homosexuality. Pillard and Bailey did a study on twins and homosexuals. They compared the percentage of male siblings who were both gay with the amount of genetic material they shared in order to find evidence for a genetic link of homosexuality. Among twin pairs where one twin was gay, they found that 52% of the identical twins were both gay, 22% of the fraternal twins were both gay, 9% of the non-twin brothers were both gay, and 11% of the adopted, or genetically unrelated brothers were both gay. They concluded that because the identical twins have a higher percentage rate than other siblings, the idea that sexual orientation is genetically influenced is consistent. Some experts questioned Bailey and Pillars findings. They both agreed they had difficulty finding a random and unbiased sample of homosexual population. They also were not able to categorize bisexuality as being either homosexual or heterosexual, and did not allow for it to be its own trait. Because of this, experts felt this study could not determine homosexuality as genetic.

Another study done by Simon LeVay focused on the size of INAH3 nucleus of the hypothalamus. He wanted to test whether the areas INAH-2 and INAH3 in the nucleus were different in size not by sex, but by sexual orientation. By proving a difference in size, he could establish that the brains of gay men were similar to that of women's brains. He only found that INAH-2 exhibited difference in sexual orientation. It was two times larger in heterosexual men as homosexual men, and he concluded it was different because of sexual orientation, not because of a difference in sex.

Dean Hamer, a molecular geneticist also did a study which tried to identify genetic markers which could influence a person's sexual orientation. Hamer recruited male siblings who were both gay and created a family tree chart tracing the incidence of homosexuality among family members. He identified the X chromosome as the site for the genes that code for homosexuality. He analyzed the DNA of each pair of brothers and also analyzed the DNA of mothers, when it was available. Hamer thought that if the mother's DNA showed two sets of markets, one on each chromosome, and each of their homosexual sons shared the same kind of marker, than the sibling pair was deemed concordant-by-descent, which would allow Hamer to declare a genetic link to homosexuality. The biggest critique of this was that Hamer never actually found the homosexual gene.

In conclusion, a large amount of evidence is leading us to the genetic link towards homosexuality, but not entirely a conclusive one.

RELIGION AND HOMOSEXUALITY

The gay community is obviously happy with the he fact that there could be a genetic link to homosexuality. They feel it would open many doors for them in the area of marriage, heath insurance, religion, and discrimination in the work place. But unfortunately in the area of religion, the Church is pretty clear on they feel about homosexuals. Churches believe homosexuality is a sin because the Creator did not create us for these sinful acts. They feel that we all have built-in tendencies towards sin that need to be controlled, just like gluttony and anger. They feel it is a disorder that needs fixing, and offer psychotherapy as an answer to change the homosexual into a heterosexual. The Bible is filled with many do's and don'ts. Homosexuality isn't the only "don't," other don'ts include greed, drunkenness, adultery, and talking back to your parents.

LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

"Coming out of the closet" was not an easy task for most homosexuals. Many of them are like the rest of society. They are quite, professional people who just want to live their lives with freedom and be able to enjoy the pursuit of happiness. They have experienced discrimination in the work place, military, health insurance, immigration, hate crimes, and marriage. In most states, homosexuals have not been able to share matrimony. The Defense of Marriage Act is trying to permit the federal government and each state to deny legal recognition of gay marriages performed in any stated. By doing this, they excluded gay marriages from the hundreds of rights, responsibilities and benefits that are given to heterosexual spouses. Currently, there are 29 states that have enacted the anti-marriage laws targeting gay couples.

But, the Vermont Supreme Court rules that it was unconstitutional to deny gay couples the right to a marriage license. They developed the "civil-union" bill. This bill allows lesbian and gays living in Vermont to take part in civil unions entitling them to hundreds of benefits as heterosexual couples.

We see a trend changing. Marriage is a basic human right. It is a lifelong commitment that should not be denied to anyone and should be made without government interference.

IMMIGRATION

Currently, US immigration law does not allow lesbian and gay citizens to petition for their same-ex partners to immigrate as heterosexual couples are allowed to do.

HATE CRIMES

Hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation are on the rise. 14.3% increase in reported hate crimes against gays and lesbians has been reported to the FBI. Hate crimes are serious moral and ethical problem. They are meant to send a serious message to an entire group or community, in the same way that Hitler sent many Jews to the gas chambers. 21 states do not include sexual orientation, and 8 states have no hate crimes statutes whatsoever. In 1994, hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act does provide for tougher sentencing for a hate crime committed beyond a doubt. However, because federal law enforcement agencies do not yet have jurisdiction over anti-gay hate crimes, this law can only be used in when a hate crime based on sexual orientation occurs on federal property.

FINDING THE GAY GENE

What would happen if scientists did find the gay gene. Many people would then be able to choose their sexual orientation for their children. If parents were able to do a prenatal diagnosis to determine whether their child has a gay gene, they would be given the choice on whether to abort. They would be able to know ahead of time whether or not their child was going to be gay not. Is this right? If a parent decides to abort their child on the basis of finding the gay gene, aren't they performing eugenics? Is it appropriate to abort a perfectly normal fetus because they carry a gene that could make them gay? Is the baby less than desirable because he could be gay? To me, these are all disturbing question. As I sit here and think of son, how beautiful, intelligent, and just a joy to be around, I wonder how many mothers would choose to destroy a boy or girl with these qualities on the basis of a gene they found, and take the chance of missing out on so many wonderful moments. In my opinion, we need to leave god-like decisions up to God. Gene screening should only be used for preventing serious inhabitant diseases. It shouldn't be used to make a specially selected baby.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

From all the data that I have researched, it still is very difficult to come to a solid conclusion that homosexuality is genetic. Scientists and researchers have only been able to come up with the conclusions of similarities. In the twin study, although there were more than half of identical twins that were both gay, 48% of identical twins did not share the same sexual orientation. And even though Hamer's study was the most convincing about genetic linkage, he still has not pinpointed the gene.

But, just because they haven't found the gene, does not mean it is not genetic. From most of the articles and life stories I have read, I am convinced that people do not choose a way of life that is controversial and that would cause them pain. For many homosexuals, they say that their experiences usually started at the puberty age. When hormones are racing, and kids are starting to notice each other in a different way. Homosexuals have always said that they felt different during this period, and realized that they were not having the same feelings towards the opposite sex as their peers. I don't think that a twelve year boy or girl would say, "I'm going to choose to be different and date my own sex." I don't see this happening when most twelve or thirteen year old teens spend much time conforming to the higher status of their peers. I also don't think a person works hard to go through college, work on a career, and then takes a chance of ruining their future by choosing their sexual orientation knowing the ramifications. People don't choose to be publicly ostracized.

I do believe that even though they haven't found the gene yet, they will. I think their is a genetic predisposition to homosexuality. But I'm not quite sure that if they find the gene it would make much difference on public opinion. Homosexuals are hopeful that the gene linkage would open up some doors for them on the subject of marriage, health insurance, religion, and public opinion. I believe it would on some issues such as marriage, and some public opinion. But for insurance, I do believe they would still be discriminated against because of the high risk of AIDS. In Religion, the church is firm on their opinion on homosexuality. It doesn't matter whether it's your genetic makeup, it would be considered a disorder that needed fixing and healing.

It would be interesting to witness the reactions of society when they find the gene. What could put closure to a controversial subject, just might open up a new can of worms.

STUDENT COMMENTS

I appreciated everyone's support and was please that everyone enjoyed the topic as much as I did. So many people go through this life just hearing the word homosexuality without really taking in the meaning of the person's life we're discussing. It was interesting to read the case studies, and to become familiar with couples that the same-sex. I also appreciated the constructive criticism. I realize that I do say "um" a lot, and you'd be proud to know that that's down by half. I used to say it so much more. I'm still working on that. I also realized I should have given out handouts, but honestly did not come across appropriate ones to distribute. Many of you had said you enjoyed the survey, thank you. I really looked forward to receiving your comments, and again, appreciate the kind words and support. Thank you.

Hamer, D. and Copeland, P. (1994). The Science of Desire: The Search For the Gay Gene and The Biology of Behavior.
Dean Hamer and a team of scientific colleagues set out to find out whether homosexuality was genetic or something in their upbringing. After interviewing hundreds of people about their sex lives, he began a survey with a sample of 114 gay men and moving on to the relatives of each of those men, forming a family tree.

Cohen, Susan and Daniel (1989). When Someone You Know is Gay.
This book is written for straight teenagers on the subject of homosexuality. Many times straight teenagers only here the ridicule and jokes about homosexuality without ever really knowing what it is and the emotional feelings that go along with it. Many times they do not realized that a homosexual teenager goes through the same emotional rollercoaster that a heterosexual teenager experiences. This was an excellent book and could be used as a therapy book in school.

McGarry, Molly and Wasserman, Fred (1998) Becoming Visible: A Reader in Gay & Lesbian History for High School & College Students
This book covers the complete history of lesbian and gay life. It traces one-hundred years of same-sex social worlds and political life in the US. In text and images, the book celebrates gay and lesbian heritage, illuminates long-invisible worlds, and chronicles a vital aspect of American History.

Downing, Christine (1989). Myths and Mysteries of Same-Sex Love
This book discusses the myths and mysteries surrounding same-sex love. It make a powerful statement about the realities of gay and lesbian psyche.
 

WEBSITES:

MOST OF MY INFORMATION I FOUND ON - http://askjeeves.com - I put in HOMOSEXUALITY AND GENETICS, and came up with great information. I'm not sure about these addresses, because askjeeves automatically connects you to the sights. It was hard to get a .com address.

www. Eagleswings Born Gay? Fact or Fiction?

Homosexual Discoveries and Choices

www.deanhammer.com Dark Clouds Over Hamer's Study

www.catholic-defense.com Current Church Beliefs

www.qbchoice

http://www.narth.com/ National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) -