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Subject: 
Re: gay by birth vs. gay by choice
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date: 
Wed, 5 Dec 2001 03:46:13 GMT
Viewed: 
339 times
  
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Christopher Tracey writes:

It would have to be the default(1).  The only ones who matter(2) in
evolution are the ones who reproduce, so therefore how can it be that we
should incapable of reproduction?

But genes that inhibit reproduction _can_ be inherited, recessively. Cf
cystic fibrosis (without treatment sufferers die before puberty).

True.  That would not fit the requirements of a default setting for the
gay-gene though.

I'm not sure I follow you -- why couldn't a gay-gene be maintained in a
heterozygote sub-population, like many other recessive traits?

Besides, we should see this showing
up throughout  our phylogeny (at least recent)- I don't think it does.

Try a little google search for "homosexual bonobo".

I do know of the cases.  I'm looking for a different pattern, not sure
how to fit it into words.

Well give it a go!! But given the lack of extant ancestor species, apes seem
like the best bet for phylogenetic comparison. What other sort of pattern
are you looking for?

I think the evolutionary advantage of recreational sex is relevant too. Why
do people have sex year round for fun?  If God meant us to exclusively
reserve sex for procreation, why not save it for springtime?

Did humans evolve in an environment that would favor seasonal
reproduction?  I'm not sure but I suspect the answer is a more or less
'no'.  Chris Weeks, myself and a few others had a

discussion bordering on recreational sex
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

probably two years ago in this group. I don't remember what we came up with.

That's one heck of a discussion! Especially considering the constraints of a
newsgroup!

Even if there were ecological reasons for constant oestrus, it might be
reinforced/conserved through social evolution. I thought this piece (again
on the bonobos) was really good: gives the patriarchal Natural Law argument
a good stir too.

http://www.catholiclesbians.org/archives/bonobos.html

// Dave



Message is in Reply To:
  Re: gay by birth vs. gay by choice
 
(...) True. That would not fit the requirements of a default setting for the gay-gene though. (...) I do know of the cases. I'm looking for a different pattern, not sure how to fit it into words. (...) Did humans evolve in an environment that would (...) (23 years ago, 5-Dec-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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