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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: 
1301 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 (...) (25 years ago, 5-Dec-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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