The short answer is no. The best research suggests, that like so many
behavioral traits, "gayness" has both genetic and environmental
components - both nature and nurture.
If pedophiles and serial rapists and alcoholics and even the obese (like
me), are shown to have genetic predispositions toward their behavior what
then? Indeed! If we are to accept gayness on the basis of its supposed
genetic roots, then we have no basis for condemning these other behaviors
that also have genetic roots. Gee, maybe we can put a stop to those
Center for Science in the Public Interest folks who are trying to tax my
Big Macs and Twinkies. How dare they tax me because of a genetic
predisposition!
A possible genetic link is no more reason for accepting sinful behavior
than it is for celebrating birth defects as good and normal (which is
what some in the differently abled movement advocate).
Kamilla
On Sun, 12 May 2002 08:22:58 EDT Dawsonzhu@aol.com writes:
>
> John Burgeson wrote:
>
>
> > Tolerance is better than hate. Acceptance is better than
> tolerance. Rehab
> > is, as far as I can see, a false hope for persons with a
> homosexual
> > affinity. AT least most of them.
> >
> >
>
> I'm sure I can find this out somewhere, but anyway,
> you have posted on several occasions that being gay
> is genetic. Is there strong evidence for a locus
> (probably several if true) for "gayness", or is it
> still mainly a matter of conjecture.
>
> If being gay is a genetic disposition, then it is
> not entirely a matter of free will anymore, and that
> changes how one should view a person who exhibits
> such behavior. It also raise issues about social
> responsibility in some cases. For example, to
> what extent should we hold a gay responsible in a
> case of child molestation? And if pedophiles are
> shown to have a genetic disposition, what then?
>
> I know this is a big bomb to drop, but
> clearly, crimes committed in the conditions of free
> will are different from crimes committed by people
> not so possessed with a free will. There is a real
> conflict between mere scientific analysis, and the
> social consequences of such behaviors. It would
> not be trivial to reconcile these at all.
>
> by Grace alone we proceed,
> Wayne
>
>
>
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