Small study suggests homosexual youngest boys maybe influenced by Mum
Scientists may have discovered why the more older brothers a boy has, the possibility he is to be gay as an adult. (Note the word: possibility because the study total was 142 Mums and 15% gay result....what does that say?)
Known as the “fraternal birth order effect”, this study has attemped to find a correlation between the birth order of boys and male sexual orientation.
DOES A PERSON NEED TO ACT ON THEIR DISPOSITION?
One researcher say perhaps increasing levels of antibodies in a mother’s immune system may play a role. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight harmful bacteria and viruses. But pregnant women sometimes produce antibodies against fetal molecules, such as when their foetus has a different blood group.
Anthony Bogaert, a professor in social psychology at Brock University, Canada, believes that some women who are pregnant with boys produce antibodies that neutralise a protein made by the Y chromosome; the DNA molecule that determines sex in humans.
Your DNA isn’t your destiny
For the most part, your genes contribute to—but don’t define—who you are.
Your genes may shape your personality, athleticism or outlook, but it’s often the combination of genes, your experiences and what you are exposed to that ultimately determine your physical and psychological state.
Anthony Bogaert, a professor in social psychology at Brock University, Canada, believes that some women who are pregnant with boys produce antibodies that neutralise a protein made by the Y chromosome; the DNA molecule that determines sex in humans.
Your DNA isn’t your destiny
For the most part, your genes contribute to—but don’t define—who you are.
Your genes may shape your personality, athleticism or outlook, but it’s often the combination of genes, your experiences and what you are exposed to that ultimately determine your physical and psychological state.
Genetic information at the moment is very unstable, in the sense that we are still trying to build out our understanding of what the likelihood of getting a disease may be if you have a genetic variant. So until we have that, you have to be pretty well educated in the disease and in genetics to interpret those results.
IS THIS BLATANT DETERMINISM WITHOUT FREE WILL?
Mr Bogaert and his team speculated that these maternal antibodies may play a role in determining the sexual orientation in their sons. The team took blood from 142 women and the samples were screened for antibodies to a brain protein only found in males, since only boys have the particular protein-producing Y chromosome.
The team speculates but cannot prove these neuron-attacking antibodies build up in women’s bodies every time they are pregnant with a son. The higher the concentration, the likelier the boy is to be gay, the researchers suggest. “It could affect brain structures that moderate attraction,” Mr Bogaert told the New Scientist. “The mother’s immune response may alter the typical function of these brain structures.”
However, at 142 women, the research involved only a small sample size, so no strong conclusions can yet be drawn over the reasons for the fraternal birth effect. The phenomenon is also only estimated to impact 15 per cent of gay men. But just because you have a mental health bias doesnt mean you must act upon it. Based on this study Homosexuals will be cured in the future.
The protein, known as NLGN4Y, plays a role in how neurons communicate with each other and is made at the surface of brain cells, so easier for antibodies to locate. The researcher found that the mothers of gay sons with older brothers had the highest levels of this antibody, followed by the mothers of gay sons with no older brothers. Mothers with straight sons had even less, and mothers with no sons had the least.
WE SEEK TO CURE ALL GENETIC DEFECTS - INCLUDING HOMOSEXUALS
The team speculates but cannot prove these neuron-attacking antibodies build up in women’s bodies every time they are pregnant with a son. The higher the concentration, the likelier the boy is to be gay, the researchers suggest. “It could affect brain structures that moderate attraction,” Mr Bogaert told the New Scientist. “The mother’s immune response may alter the typical function of these brain structures.”
However, at 142 women, the research involved only a small sample size, so no strong conclusions can yet be drawn over the reasons for the fraternal birth effect. The phenomenon is also only estimated to impact 15 per cent of gay men. But just because you have a mental health bias doesnt mean you must act upon it. Based on this study Homosexuals will be cured in the future.
