How does evolution explain homosexuality?

[DangerAardvark]

How does Evolution explain Ben Affleck's Oscar?

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Keep in mind that until recently, homosexuality hasn't exactly been very accepted. Assuming there are genetic factors, a lot of people throughout history have probably passed these on because they were pressured into heterosexual relationships by society. Being openly gay and embracing the lifestyle is a relatively new phenomenon.

Agreed, if homosexuality is indeed genetic.

I tend to think that homosexuality is at least somewhat conditioned (which I consider to be as natural and inevitable as genetics) and that we're all born with a more or less neutral/bi sexual orientation.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: eits
how does evolution explain autism/down syndrome/birth defects, etc?

Not sure if this is an apples to oranges situation but I know that popular belief holds homosexuality to be genetic; are those also considered to be genetic at this time? I thought Downs was related to pre-birth conditions like age of the mother.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: eits
how does evolution explain autism/down syndrome/birth defects, etc?

Evolution is what happens to populations of imperfect replicators. The cases you describe are simply examples of the fact that humans, like all biological organisms, replicate imperfectly.

In short, evolution doesn't guarantee the eventual perfection of replication.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: eits
how does evolution explain autism/down syndrome/birth defects, etc?

Not sure if this is an apples to oranges situation but I know that popular belief holds homosexuality to be genetic; are those also considered to be genetic at this time? I thought Downs was related to pre-birth conditions like age of the mother.

If there was a gene for it it would have been found by now, it's not genetic.

What IS known is that sexual arousal for the same sex happens in exactly the same way as it does for heterosexual males towards women, so it's hardwired and cannot be changed.

It could be the nadrolone release thingy (oh and bodybuilders, collect pregnant womens urine, that is actually how the first Deca was made) or it could be something else, it's not important enough to study since it isn't harmful and accepted by every sane human being.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt

Originally posted by: eits
how does evolution explain autism/down syndrome/birth defects, etc?

Evolution is what happens to populations of imperfect replicators. The cases you describe are simply examples of the fact that humans, like all biological organisms, replicate imperfectly.

In short, evolution doesn't guarantee the eventual perfection of replication.

True, true, over time a population as a whole will either evolve or go extinct, such are the laws of nature, or rather, were the laws of nature until we empathical beings came along and started to save those who wuld otherwise have perished under natures own laws.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: txrandom

Originally posted by: loki8481
some homosexuals have children

also, recessive traits etc?

They may have children, but they can't produce children naturally.

what makes homosexuals sterile, pray tell?

btw, this is an obvious rolomather troll thread.

I thought he was permabanned?

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: oogabooga

Originally posted by: Quintox
How does evolution explain why one person is shy and the other is outgoing? It's a stupid question that has nothing to do with evolution.

A shy person could still theoretically produce offspring still even without first choice in mates or whatever. Whereas a gay person who hasn't had sex with the opposite sex specifically for the purpose of producing offspring can't.

I don't know if it's a stupid question or not and don't understand how homosexuality/evolution relate, but i don't think it's the same as being shy.

Oh ok I see what you mean.

Anyway I guess I'm saying I don't believe a person is born gay, but they somehow develop into a homosexual. Either way it doesn't matter to me, I have absolutely nothing against gay people. Heck Gay Tony is one of my favorite characters in GTAIV

lulz.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: ManyBeers

Originally posted by: RoloMather
The majority of homosexuals don't have offspring due to mate preferences. Therefore they should be negatively selected out during the whole process of evolution.

So why does homosexuality exist?

It's just a popular fad right now, like CB radios were a few years back. It will eventually die out like all fads do and it won't be 'cool' to be gay anymore.

More brain-exploding stupidity from this member. I'm shocked.

 

[surfsatwerk]

http://www.plasticbag.org/arch...ries_of_homosexuality/

 

[Ryan]

I want to have a kid someday, and I have the gay affliction.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: RocksteadyDotNet
It's not genetic, so it cant be bred out.

Something to do with hormones during pregnancy.

That's why you can have identical twins, one gay and one normal.

In before some moron mentions religion.

This is actually not true. It does have a genetic component and can be bred out. I've read numerous studies and had it covered in my psychobiology and physiological psychology classes. There are a wide array of alleles that can actually influence whether someone is homosexual or not. Notice, I say influence - not absolutely determine. There was a certain % of those with a certain allele that were gay. The % difference from the other allele was statistically significant, therefore showing some sort of correlation or relationship.

And yes, prenatal factors DEFINITELY influence these things. Women with especially high levels of hormones or babies especially sensitive to these hormones can be effected. Read some rat studies - it's actually pretty amusing how male rats will be both receptive proceptive to other males when experiencing low testosterone levels at an important developmental stage after birth.

 

[Ryan]

Why the fuck does it matter if it's genetic or not? It is what it is, society dictates whether it's a good or bad trait - what the fuck is wrong with society?

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: Ryan
Why the fuck does it matter if it's genetic or not? It is what it is, society dictates whether it's a good or bad trait - what the fuck is wrong with society?

Because people feel insecure about themselves.

 

[zinfamous]

how does evolution explain teh troll?

 

[between]

...

 

[mjrpes3]

Homosexuality has been acceptable at times (before the present). Ancient Greece is the best example. Men had relationships with boys (pederasty), in addition to wives, and it was like a rite of passage for young men. You would expect any genetic traits in that population related to sexuality to start veering towards homosexuality, as anyone who had a strong antagonism to homosexuality would not be as successful in that society.

The study of Ancient Greece suggests that sexual preference is dominantly based on upbringing and social norms, not genetics, since otherwise it's hard to explain how homosexuality could have become so widespread and accepted in such a short (evolutionary) time frame.

 

[Wheezer]

How does evolution explain homosexuality?

why should it have to?

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: Wheezer

How does evolution explain homosexuality?

why should it have to?

Precisely. A better question would be phrased:

How do human behavior and human evolution relate to each other? Can evolution really determine behavior? Can behavior shape evoluition?

It could be argued that behavior DOES shape evolution. We evolved as aggressive beings for good reason. Nature has no police. The human condition today is one in which we find ourselves repressing our violent tendencies for the sake of civilization. Civility is not a genetic trait, but aggression sure is. Will we evolve out our aggressive tendencies? Maybe. But it will take millins of years

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: oogabooga

Originally posted by: Quintox
How does evolution explain why one person is shy and the other is outgoing? It's a stupid question that has nothing to do with evolution.

A shy person could still theoretically produce offspring still even without first choice in mates or whatever. Whereas a gay person who hasn't had sex with the opposite sex specifically for the purpose of producing offspring can't.

I don't know if it's a stupid question or not and don't understand how homosexuality/evolution relate, but i don't think it's the same as being shy.

Homosexuals still have functioning sexual organs that are fully capable of reproduction with the opposite sex.

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: Wheezer

How does evolution explain homosexuality?

why should it have to?

Because it explains everything else and shouldn't NOT explain something just so someone else's feelings don't get hurt.

Science is science, beyotches!

 

[Platypus]

Obvious troll thread from obvious troll, move along.

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: Platypus
Obvious troll thread from obvious troll, move along.

I think what you mean is stop and post in the thread anyway, contradicting the advice you're giving, and giving him more attention.

 

[Gibson486]

OK, this is just a really dumb question....

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Nik

Originally posted by: Platypus
Obvious troll thread from obvious troll, move along.

I think what you mean is stop and post in the thread anyway, contradicting the advice you're giving, and giving him more attention.

He'll get the attention he wants regardless of what I post in here but hopefully someone reads my message and decides not to post and continue the thread.