homosexuality has a physical basis not learned behavior

[Phlegm]

From Associated Press:

WASHINGTON - Lesbians’ brains react differently to sex hormones than those of heterosexual women.

An earlier study of gay men also showed their brain response was different from straight men — an even stronger difference than has now been found in lesbians.

Lesbians’ brains reacted somewhat, though not completely, like those of heterosexual men, a team of Swedish researchers said in Tuesday’s edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

A year ago, the same group reported findings for gay men that showed their brain response to hormones was similar to that of heterosexual women.

In both cases the findings add weight to the idea that homosexuality has a physical basis and is not learned behavior.

“It shows sexual orientation may very well have a different basis between men and women ... this is not just a mirror image situation,â€

[Tikker]

it's been pretty much accepted for a long time that it was genetic

[Phlegm]

it's been pretty much accepted for a long time that it was genetic

Tell that to the religious zealots.

[mofish]

We all know science is Satan's tool. This is just another attempt to destroy Jesus. You all need to go to church. Just like the gays.

[Sorina S]

I completely disagree that homosexuality is genetic. In my life expierience Ive never run across a self professed lesbian that wouldnt sleep with me. In every case they'd have issues from sexual ambiguity, poor self esteem inflicted by family (not just parents btw, tell your sister she's pretty once in a while, goes a long way) to sexual abuse.

In the case of gay men I've known quite a few, I was 16 years in the 'human services' field, anyways there were alot of gay men around. I've always found the same thing. Poor upbringing, rejecting father figure was the most apparent.

It's interesting to me that gay men don't despise women. But gay women can't stand men, well most men. Who can blame em, I can't stand men myself.

There's alot of science like this conducted on self professed homosexuals. Who's to say our biological makeup isn't asexual and that through rearing we aren't brought into biologiacal identity.

Before you damn me to hell note that this isn't a definition, just an observation. I'm not a scientist, just an observer.

SS~

edited for words that made more sense~

And I feel the need to note we are all Gods children, gay, straight, confused and indifferent.

[Arlos]

I imagine that there is definitely a percentage of the population for whom it is a conscious decision to sleep with someone of the same sex. At the same time, I also believe that that is not the majority of cases. For most gays or lesbians, I believe quite strongly that it's genetic.

-Arlos

[Thon]

proof god made gays

[Lyion]

Given our current knowledge of the brain, it's really tough to determine anything. I imagine a guy who wants to get cornholed has different brainwaves from the normals, personally.

This study really tells one nothing, like most, but gets hype for its nothing probably in an attempt to raise funds and to seem useful.

The gay gene theory has been rigorously pursued and so far has not been fruitful, so for now it remains solely opinion whether homosexuality is genetic or learned behavior, or perhaps both.

[Gargamellow]

my bisexuality was a learned behavior

[Tikker]

bisexual isn't the same thing

[KaiineTN]

Doesn't it occur to these people that those differences in the brain might be the result of their preferences? It works the same way as depression and so many other "disorders." They say depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and sure, it is, but you can change that chemical imbalance just by eating healthier, or exercising, or changing your environment.

I don't want to say I think sexual preferences are either learned or genetic traits, but I do think that learned behavior has very underestimated effects on brain chemistry, and the effects it does have can explain findings like this.

[Gargamellow]

i spose

[Sorina S]

Doesn't it occur to these people that those differences in the brain might be the result of their preferences? It works the same way as depression and so many other "disorders," they say that it's a chemical imbalance in the brain, and sure, it is, but you can change that chemical imbalance just by eating healthier, or exercising, or changing your environment. I don't want to say I think sexual preferences are either learned or genetic traits, but I do think that learned behavior has very underestimated effects on brain chemistry, and the effects it does have can explain findings like this.

Yeah it does occour to them. After all sexuallity and the endevour to reproduce the species is omnipresent. I doubt this fact escapes most scientists.What's curious is how environment affects this. I mean are there bisexual fish? Homosexual chipmonks, confused cats and dogs? No, but what they lack we take for granted. We think ourselves above basic natural laws and instinct. We're not the only species that does this though. But the higher you get on the intellectual chain the more you see it.

Again I'll say it, homosexuality is socialogical, not biological. We are so far removed from the natural world now that we no longer raise our young in the same way we were raised, in the same way humans were raised for a hundred thousand years. We think we know more than nature does. I don't care that homosexuality goes against God, I don't belittle it's signifigance in this world of ours. I think I understand it, but I'm quite sure, it's not natural, it's an environmental aberration.

I'm not anti gay by any means, but I'm not pro gay by definition. It's not natural. Sorry if offend anyone here.

SS~

[Tikker]

Doesn't it occur to these people that those differences in the brain might be the result of their preferences? It works the same way as depression and so many other "disorders." They say depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and sure, it is, but you can change that chemical imbalance just by eating healthier, or exercising, or changing your environment.

I don't want to say I think sexual preferences are either learned or genetic traits, but I do think that learned behavior has very underestimated effects on brain chemistry, and the effects it does have can explain findings like this.

you don't even have a sexual preference, how do you feel qualified to even debate this topic?

[KaiineTN]

Doesn't it occur to these people that those differences in the brain might be the result of their preferences? It works the same way as depression and so many other "disorders," they say that it's a chemical imbalance in the brain, and sure, it is, but you can change that chemical imbalance just by eating healthier, or exercising, or changing your environment. I don't want to say I think sexual preferences are either learned or genetic traits, but I do think that learned behavior has very underestimated effects on brain chemistry, and the effects it does have can explain findings like this.

Yeah it does occour to them. After all sexuallity and the endevour to reproduce the species is omnipresent. I doubt this fact escapes most scientists.What's curious is how environment affects this. I mean are there bisexual fish? Homosexual chipmonks, confused cats and dogs? No, but what they lack we take for granted. We think ourselves above basic natural laws and instinct. We're not the only species that does this though. But the higher you get on the intellectual chain the more you see it.

Again I'll say it, homosexuality is socialogical, not biological. We are so far removed from the natural world now that we no longer raise our young in the same way we were raised, in the same way humans were raised for a hundred thousand years. We think we know more than nature does. I don't care that homosexuality goes against God, I don't belittle it's signifigance in this world of ours. I think I understand it, but I'm quite sure, it's not natural, it's an environmental aberration.

I'm not anti gay by any means, but I'm not pro gay by definition. It's not natural. Sorry if offend anyone here.

SS~

Actually, primates get off all the time and help each other out, regardless of gender. And many dogs will hump anything (especially when they're young). Are they confused? No, they're just hormone driven. I'm sure there are many more examples in nature as well that I'm not aware of.

Homosexuality/bisexuality is every bit as natural as it is the result of social conditions, imo. Although it really doesn't matter where it comes from, and I'm sure the degree of influence from each and potentially other factors varies from person to person (or animal to animal). Homosexuality is not like some disorder that needs to be "cured," so why put so much effort into potential causes of it?

Did you know that in ancient Greece is was normal for the wealthy Senator type men to take on an apprentice, and the man would teach the boy everything from literature to science, and even lovemaking? They didn't consider it homosexual at all, it was just teaching, but it usually involved oral sex and probably more in some cases.

In the end, you don't have to agree with it, you don't have to like it, and you certainly don't have to take part in it, but you do have to accept the fact that it's very much a part of the world you live in, and anything that you do will not change that.

[Vincenti]

Coming out of the closet?

[KaiineTN]

Nah, if anything, I'm leaning towards asexual after all this talk of female ejaculation and what not in other threads. I don't like anything that comes out of the body from either gender! I just try to accept people for who they are.

[Vincenti]

Gotcha

[Sorina S]

Doesn't it occur to these people that those differences in the brain might be the result of their preferences? It works the same way as depression and so many other "disorders," they say that it's a chemical imbalance in the brain, and sure, it is, but you can change that chemical imbalance just by eating healthier, or exercising, or changing your environment. I don't want to say I think sexual preferences are either learned or genetic traits, but I do think that learned behavior has very underestimated effects on brain chemistry, and the effects it does have can explain findings like this.

Yeah it does occour to them. After all sexuallity and the endevour to reproduce the species is omnipresent. I doubt this fact escapes most scientists.What's curious is how environment affects this. I mean are there bisexual fish? Homosexual chipmonks, confused cats and dogs? No, but what they lack we take for granted. We think ourselves above basic natural laws and instinct. We're not the only species that does this though. But the higher you get on the intellectual chain the more you see it.

Again I'll say it, homosexuality is socialogical, not biological. We are so far removed from the natural world now that we no longer raise our young in the same way we were raised, in the same way humans were raised for a hundred thousand years. We think we know more than nature does. I don't care that homosexuality goes against God, I don't belittle it's signifigance in this world of ours. I think I understand it, but I'm quite sure, it's not natural, it's an environmental aberration.

I'm not anti gay by any means, but I'm not pro gay by definition. It's not natural. Sorry if offend anyone here.

SS~

Actually, primates get off all the time and help each other out, regardless of gender. And many dogs will hump anything (especially when they're young). Are they confused? No, they're just hormone driven. I'm sure there are many more examples in nature as well that I'm not aware of.

Homosexuality/bisexuality is every bit as natural as it is the result of social conditions, imo. Although it really doesn't matter where it comes from, and I'm sure the degree of influence from each and potentially other factors varies from person to person (or animal to animal). Homosexuality is not like some disorder that needs to be "cured," so why put so much effort into potential causes of it?

Did you know that in ancient Greece is was normal for the wealthy Senator type men to take on an apprentice, and the man would teach the boy everything from literature to science, and even lovemaking? They didn't consider it homosexual at all, it was just teaching, but it usually involved oral sex and probably more in some cases.

In the end, you don't have to agree with it, you don't have to like it, and you certainly don't have to take part in it, but you do have to accept the fact that it's very much a part of the world you live in, and anything that you do will not change that.

Yea, good points. I kinda think were more in agreement than not. Basically Im just not buying into the genetic predisposition theroy. But yea everything youve mentioned I am aware of.

[Harrison]

They say depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and sure, it is, but you can change that chemical imbalance just by eating healthier, or exercising, or changing your environment.

Wrong.

[KaiineTN]

I've studied psychology quite a bit Harrison. In fact, the man I've learned everything I know from is a Ph.D in Psychology and works with chemically dependant kids. He knows what he's talking about. Do I really need to create an in-depth explanation for you?

[Zanchief]

I've studied psychology quite a bit Harrison. In fact, the man I've learned everything I know from is a Ph.D in Psychology and works with chemically dependant kids. He knows what he's talking about. Do I really need to create an in-depth explanation for you?

How is he with a forklift?

[Tossica]

The fact that most people with depression, anxiety etc have good and bad days is proof enough that everything you need to "balance" your "imbalance" is already there. You just need training on how to utilize it. Some people do need an external chemical influence BUT I think that for the most part, people are too lazy or not disciplined enough to handle their own issues and just want to take a pill to feel better with little or no effort.

[Harrison]

I've studied psychology quite a bit Harrison. In fact, the man I've learned everything I know from is a Ph.D in Psychology and works with chemically dependant kids. He knows what he's talking about. Do I really need to create an in-depth explanation for you?

As did I, you want a cookie?

My friend's Political Science professor from Bridgewater State truly believes that all information on the internet that portrays President Bush in a positive light is controlled by him and his administration. Is he correct because he has a Ph.D? Fuck no...

You don't map the brain like your back yard. You can't make blanket statements about human beings and their emotions.

[KaiineTN]

The fact that most people with depression, anxiety etc have good and bad days is proof enough that everything you need to "balance" your "imbalance" is already there. You just need training on how to utilize it. Some people do need an external chemical influence BUT I think that for the most part, people are too lazy or not disciplined enough to handle their own issues and just want to take a pill to feel better with little or no effort.

Yeah, although I have nothing against the use of drugs to help people, I do think they should be the last resort. All too often, they are thrown around like candy by anyone who can write a prescription.

It really bugs me how some people are manipulated into thinking that they have a "chemical imbalance" that needs to be fixed by taking drugs. That's really not the case at all. In fact, taking the drug might make you feel better, but it doesn't cure anything, it just covers up the symptoms. If you don't change your habbits, behaviors, perspectives, and environment that led to the formation of whatever disorder you think you need medication for, then you will become dependant on that medication.

There are several models that explain psychological disorders, and there's only one that directly supports the chemical imbalance argument, and that's the biological model. The reason people are so familiar with that one is because drug companies use it as a marketing tool (which is, imo, very unethical).

People can be born predisposed to certain disorders, as in they're more prone to the formation of them under stressful conditions and what not, but that chemical imbalance doesn't exist until the disorder has established itself. Once the disorder sets in, you can "balance" the chemicals yourself by doing the opposite of what caused the imbalance in the first place. Reduce stress, get healthier, positive outlook, etc.

I'll say it again. Drugs only cover up the symptoms. They don't cure anything.