Genetics of Homosexuality

NoK

in flies...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=334540

Genetic 'switch' can turn fruit flies gay
Tuesday Dec 11 12:00 AEDT

A new study has found that a combination of genetic manipulation and drugs can transform fruit flies into homosexuals and back again in the space of a few hours.

Scientists at the University of Illinois in Chicago discovered a gene in fruit flies that they dubbed the "genderblind", or GB.

GB sends out a neurotransmitter called glutamate to brain cells, which can alter the strength of the synapses that play a key role determining human and animal behaviour.

Researchers found that a mutation of the GB gene turned flies into bisexuals.

They also discovered that all male flies with a mutation in their GB gene began to court other males.

"It was very dramatic," researcher David Featherstone said.

"The GB mutant males treated other males exactly the same way normal male flies would treat a female.

"They even attempted copulation."

"Based on our previous work, we reasoned that GB mutants might show homosexual behaviour because their … synapses were altered in some way," Featherstone said.

Homosexual courtship could have been the result of an "over-reaction" to sexual stimuli, he added.

To test this, researchers genetically altered the synapse strength, independent of the GB.

They also gave flies drugs to change the synapse strength.

And, as predicted, they were able to turn homosexuality on and off within hours.

"It was amazing," Featherstone said.

"I never thought we'd be able to do that sort of thing, because sexual orientation is supposed to be hard-wired.

"This fundamentally changes how we think about this behaviour."

Cosmo

Gays have sex with fruit flies?

NoK

Cosmo wrote:

Gays have sex with fruit flies?

Wouldn't that fall under bestiality?

Cosmo

NoK wrote:

Wouldn't that fall under bestiality?

...
To the Gay... or the Fruit Fly?

NoK

Cosmo wrote:

...
To the Gay... or the Fruit Fly?

Imagine a human maggot.

The study is striking. The possibility that a change in the level of glutamic acid in the brain could lead to these sequence of events. This will probably lead to a genetic screen study which analyses this gene for a group of heterosexual and homosexual males. It'll be interesting to see the results.

Rhinocerous Surprise

NoK wrote:

in flies...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=334540

Genetic 'switch' can turn fruit flies gay
Tuesday Dec 11 12:00 AEDT

A new study has found that a combination of genetic manipulation and drugs can transform fruit flies into homosexuals and back again in the space of a few hours.

Scientists at the University of Illinois in Chicago discovered a gene in fruit flies that they dubbed the "genderblind", or GB.

GB sends out a neurotransmitter called glutamate to brain cells, which can alter the strength of the synapses that play a key role determining human and animal behaviour.

Researchers found that a mutation of the GB gene turned flies into bisexuals.

They also discovered that all male flies with a mutation in their GB gene began to court other males.

"It was very dramatic," researcher David Featherstone said.

"The GB mutant males treated other males exactly the same way normal male flies would treat a female.

"They even attempted copulation."

"Based on our previous work, we reasoned that GB mutants might show homosexual behaviour because their … synapses were altered in some way," Featherstone said.

Homosexual courtship could have been the result of an "over-reaction" to sexual stimuli, he added.

To test this, researchers genetically altered the synapse strength, independent of the GB.

They also gave flies drugs to change the synapse strength.

And, as predicted, they were able to turn homosexuality on and off within hours.

"It was amazing," Featherstone said.

"I never thought we'd be able to do that sort of thing, because sexual orientation is supposed to be hard-wired.

"This fundamentally changes how we think about this behaviour."

A Fruity Fly, so to speak.

Pacomc79

well, there are a few good jokes about that one... thanks.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

Hung like a fruit fly.

Cosmo

Need to fast track that drug to Senator Larry Craig.

Scubascott

NoK wrote:

Imagine a human maggot.

Or a fruit fly faggot. . .


Sorry. I couldn't help myself.


It is interesting. Once you stop giggling at the thought of all those poor confused gay fruit flies trying to mate with other males. . . he he

rudiger10

You really gotta feel it for the dude fruit flys on this one. Imagine one minute you are just chillin with some dudes, and then next thing you know, ur humpin ur drinking buddy.

not a fun day, not a fun day at all

melodious

Cosmo wrote:

...
To the Gay... or the Fruit Fly?

sounds like a promotion for the name of a new magazine

dontloseyourheat

It seems that science is getting closer and closer to identifying the cause of homosexuality.

Scientists in Chicago are currently studying groups of brothers that are both gay to try and determine the cause of their sexuality.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,302066,00.html

Dr. Alan Sanders of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute, the lead researcher of the new study, said he suspects there isn't one so-called "gay gene."

It is more likely there are several genes that interact with nongenetic factors, including psychological and social influences, to determine sexual orientation, said Sanders, a psychiatrist.

Another interesting topic is Childhood Gender Nonconformity. CGN is when a young child tends to behave as if they were a member of the opposite sex. This is especially interesting because these children do not understand sexuality. They are not fueled by sexual desire or the ability to comply to some "norm". They just simply behave differently

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/

When the twins were 2, Patrick found his mother's shoes. He liked wearing them. Thomas tried on his father's once but didn't see the point.

When they were 3, Thomas blurted out that toy guns were his favorite things. Patrick piped up that his were the Barbie dolls he discovered at day care.

When the twins were 5, Thomas announced he was going to be a monster for Halloween. Patrick said he was going to be a princess. Thomas said he couldn't do that, because other kids would laugh at him. Patrick seemed puzzled. "Then I'll be Batman," he said.

onelongsong

NoK wrote:

in flies...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=334540

Genetic 'switch' can turn fruit flies gay
Tuesday Dec 11 12:00 AEDT

A new study has found that a combination of genetic manipulation and drugs can transform fruit flies into homosexuals and back again in the space of a few hours.

Scientists at the University of Illinois in Chicago discovered a gene in fruit flies that they dubbed the "genderblind", or GB.

GB sends out a neurotransmitter called glutamate to brain cells, which can alter the strength of the synapses that play a key role determining human and animal behaviour.

Researchers found that a mutation of the GB gene turned flies into bisexuals.

They also discovered that all male flies with a mutation in their GB gene began to court other males.

"It was very dramatic," researcher David Featherstone said.

"The GB mutant males treated other males exactly the same way normal male flies would treat a female.

"They even attempted copulation."

"Based on our previous work, we reasoned that GB mutants might show homosexual behaviour because their … synapses were altered in some way," Featherstone said.

Homosexual courtship could have been the result of an "over-reaction" to sexual stimuli, he added.

To test this, researchers genetically altered the synapse strength, independent of the GB.

They also gave flies drugs to change the synapse strength.

And, as predicted, they were able to turn homosexuality on and off within hours.

"It was amazing," Featherstone said.

"I never thought we'd be able to do that sort of thing, because sexual orientation is supposed to be hard-wired.

"This fundamentally changes how we think about this behaviour."

no disrespect intended; but does this mean homosexuality is an illness again?

gabers

onelongsong wrote:

no disrespect intended; but does this mean homosexuality is an illness again?

No but it means a genetic mutation is the likely culprit...

That's different from being an illness.

steve_inhiding

No offense to anyone intended.

But who the fuck cares!! For gods sake, if you're gay you're gay!

I've many gay friends who are completely happy being who they are and have always said they were gay from the first day they could remember. If it's genes or upbringing, who really cares!! In fact, although homosexuality is against reproduction, I believe it clearly (in a utopian society) promotes acceptance. Just leave them the fuck alone!!!!

Again, sorry if I offended anyone with either language or ideas but this topic drives me nuts as it seems like such old news.

Cheers,
Steve

onelongsong

steve_inhiding wrote:

No offense to anyone intended.

But who the fuck cares!! For gods sake, if you're gay you're gay!

I've many gay friends who are completely happy being who they are and have always said they were gay from the first day they could remember. If it's genes or upbringing, who really cares!! In fact, although homosexuality is against reproduction, I believe it clearly (in a utopian society) promotes acceptance. Just leave them the fuck alone!!!!

Again, sorry if I offended anyone with either language or ideas but this topic drives me nuts as it seems like such old news.

Cheers,
Steve

i'm with you mate. my question was more from a legal standpoint.

steve_inhiding

onelongsong wrote:

i'm with you mate. my question was more from a legal standpoint.

yeah

not having a go, just get sick of it

one of my favourite simpsons para-quotes (if that's a word) from Flanders

"I've just done a fun-run to raise money for a cure....for homosexuality!"
Barstard!

cheers,
Steve

halv

When will they start doing studies to see what makes me straight? Of course they never will because hetero is perceived as "normal" by these people.
Ridiculous studies and a huge waste of resources, time and money.

NoK

steve_inhiding wrote:

No offense to anyone intended.

But who the fuck cares!! For gods sake, if you're gay you're gay!

I've many gay friends who are completely happy being who they are and have always said they were gay from the first day they could remember. If it's genes or upbringing, who really cares!! In fact, although homosexuality is against reproduction, I believe it clearly (in a utopian society) promotes acceptance. Just leave them the fuck alone!!!!

Again, sorry if I offended anyone with either language or ideas but this topic drives me nuts as it seems like such old news.

Cheers,
Steve

Its called SCIENCE who is questioning their right to exist? Did you see anywhere in the first post anyone questioning their right to exist?

To determine if genes are responsible for homosexuality is a step closer to understanding the genes that control sexual behaviour in humans which is one step more in understanding humans in general. This is the way science sees it: isolation of a locus responsible for human sexual preference.

If the topic drives you nuts don't read about it.

NoK

halv wrote:

When will they start doing studies to see what makes me straight? Of course they never will because hetero is perceived as "normal" by these people.
Ridiculous studies and a huge waste of resources, time and money.

I'll throw the argument back at you. If you view both sexualities as completely natural, can you not see that the isolation of the genes responsible for homosexuality is the isolation of the genes responsible for heterosexuality?