Saturday, October 26, 2019

Scientists Have Not Found The Mythical Gay Gene According To A Massive Study Conducted






In August of 2019, after conducting a massive study examining the DNA samples of roughly half a million people to determine whether or not homosexual behavior is genetically influenced, they came to the conclusion that there was none.  Citing from Science, Nature reported that according to the study, based on genetic data acquired from UK BioBank and 23andMe, [1, 2, 4, 7-22, 31, 38, 40, 45-49, 51, 52, 54, 61] it was estimated that anywhere between eight and twenty-five percent of sexual behavior could be genetically explained, [1, 2, 24, 25, 29, 30, 32, 33, 38-40, 44, 47-49, 50-52, 54, 61] with some source putting the figure as high as roughly 32 percent [40, 44] and and source placing it between a third and 32 percent. [52] but researchers cautioned that the results from the study was not necessarily representative of the overall population. [1]

The study, using a method called "genome-wide association study" (GWAS), involved searching hundreds of thousands of genomes possessing single-letter DNA changes called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); five of which were more commonly found among those who had engaged in homosexual behavior than in those who had not, but even the five SNPs found among those who had engaged in homosexual behavior still accounted for less than one percent of what may factor into sexual preferences; [1, 24-26, 28, 30, 35, 40, 50, 51, 53, 54] one source putting it at one percent, [60] meaning professing homosexual and lesbians may not be as exclusively homosexual as is commonly believed and that sexual orientation can be subject to change.  Furthermore, researchers also admitted that the suspected genes associated with sexual preferences could not reliably predict what a person's sexual orientation would be [1, 4-30, 32, 35, 38, 39, 41, 44-49, 51, 52, 54, 61]

Nonetheless, despite the lack of concrete evidence for same-sex behavior being genetically linked and fixed, Science went on to claim that same-sex behavior is genetically influenced [2, 42] while adding this caveat stating:



…the genetic effects that differentiate heterosexual from same-sex sexual behavior are not the same as those that differ among nonheterosexuals with lower versus higher proportions of same-sex partners, which suggests that there is no single continuum from opposite-sex to same-sex preference. [3]



In other words, there is no explanation for how one may gravitate to from being heterosexual to homosexual and vice versa.  Nevertheless, a widely circulated Associated Press piece built its narrative upon the structured abstract/abstract section of the Science article declaring that concrete evidence for same-sex behavior being genetically influenced had been found, reporting that there were likely thousands of genes contributing to the shaping sexual orientation [4-23] but which researches said they had not found [1] yet nonetheless, other media sources still reported that was not one but many genes influencing same-sex behavior [24-29, 31, 33, 35, 38, 45, 51-53, 60] with which Ben Neale, a member of Harvard Universities MIT Broad Institute and who took part in the research agreed [33, 40] after already admitting that genetics were only a small factor in shaping same-sex behavior. [4-23, 50, 54]

Fah Sathirapongsasuti, a geneticist working for 23andMe appeared to disagree in stating that genetics only played "a possible minority part" [34] but fellow researcher and LGBT activist Brendan Zietsch concurred with Neale's claims, [35] yet Fahad Ali, an LGBT activist himself and also a geneticist confessed that the study showed the influence of genetics on determining sexual orientation was "quite low" [36] but Nina McCarthy of the University of Western Australia dismissed the nearly absent genetic contributions to sexual orientation stating that the study showed that genetics contributed to sexual orientation the same way they might contribute to physical traits such as height; [37] the Los Angeles Times repeating the same [40] but Qazi Rahman, a psychologist and sexual orientation research at King's College in London England and an avid believer in the biological basis for sexuality did not feel the study yielded any meaningful results either way because he did not believe that the participants in the study were diverse enough and felt that the results may have been skewed, but researcher Benjamin Neale said there was no way of telling if any bias affected the results. [44]   Rahman did go on to admit that non-genetic factors may play a far greater role in determining sexuality than genetics. [51, 53]

Some media sources exhibited more caution in declaring a definitive genetic basis for LGBT behavior [38, 39] including some LGBT sources and advocates, with even LGBT media source, Advocate, admitting that there was virtually no genetic difference between heterosexuals and homosexuals:



The proof of a difference between a one-time same-sex experience and enduring sexual orientation came from examining the genetic relationships between non-heterosexuality and percentage of same-sex partners for participants for whom both measures were available. The correlation was insignificant – zero – nada. What this means is that whatever genes were found for “non-heterosexuality” have nothing to do with the continuum of behavior from “mostly straight” to “completely queer." [41]



Hamer also went on to make a self-sabotaging claim by calling so-called gay genes "hyper-heterosexual genes." [42]  If they are hyper-heterosexual genes, then how can they be possibly influence same-sex behavior?  He also stated that same-sex behavior may also be influenced by Cannabis use. [43]  Far from being a genetic factor.

Many media sources also claimed possible bias in the study in that it included mostly European and American participants [4-23, 31, 32, 38, 40, 41, 44, 47-49, 52, 53] excluded transgenders, [1, 40] and that the study focused only on sexual behavior, not on orientation, [4-23, 61] to which one of the researches admitted [32] though orientation and behavior have often gone hand in hand.  

The reason why the data only consisted of genetic information from those of mostly European descent is because there was not enough data from other nationalities and ethnicities in the existing datasets. [61]

One researcher also expressed skepticism of the results because it was focused not just on those claiming to be exclusively homosexual or lesbian but on anyone claiming to have had at least one same-sex sexual experience [47-49] which does not necessarily make one exclusively homosexual.

Some media sources admitted that non-genetic factors contribute far more greatly in influencing sexual preferences and choices in intimate relationships than genetics [4-26, 28, 31, 39, 40, 44, 50, 55, 56] while insisting that other biological factors could be at play as well [4-28] though Science did not appear to mention any other biological factors; just sociological [2] though sources more sympathetic towards LGBT behavior down played the role of non-genetic causes and attributed them mostly to unspecified environmental factors. [24-33, 49] though some sources listed some of those environmental factors as being prenatal hormone related or family upbringing, and other biological factors but in theory only, and in doing so, revealing that environmental factors may be the next factor that scientists and LGBT activists may investigate if they cannot find anything on the genetic scale to justify forcing those who might not otherwise do so to affirm LGBT behavior. [38, 47, 48, 49, 51]  

According to a number of different sources, the prenatal hormone factor has been already been investigated. [55-59] 
Psychology Today's Dr. Joe Herbert explains:



…does testosterone play a role in the development of human sexuality? Testosterone acts on the brain (and other organs) by activating a complex protein, the androgen receptor. If a mutation in the latter occurs, the brain may not respond to testosterone: It’s as if it didn’t exist.  There are such examples in humans: XY embryos that are insensitive to their own testosterone.  They are born looking like females, and grow up in that belief (i.e. their gender identity is female). 

Often they are only discovered to be XY individuals at puberty, which doesn’t happen (it’s called the ‘androgen insensitivity syndrome’ or AIS). They have normal-looking testes, though hidden inside their abdomen. There isn’t really a converse situation (early excess testosterone in XX embryos) though a condition called congenital adrenal Hypertrophy (CAH) results in abnormally high amounts of testosterone in females, but this occurs much later in pregnancy. These individuals do have a higher than expected incidence of bisexual or homosexual behavior, but not very much. And some may also have doubts about their gender identity, but it’s not nearly so striking as AIS. The difference may be a result of timing: The effects of testosterone become less as development proceeds. We certainly can’t rule out pre-natal testosterone as a powerful (but not the only) determinant of sexuality in humans. [55]



Concerning experiments done on animals; rodents in particular:



The hypothalamus of female rodents has greater levels of methylation than males: that is, more genes are suppressed. Giving such females testosterone post-natally reduces this: in other words, some of the methylation markers are removed, releasing those genes to become active. Such females behave more like males. Furthermore, giving a drug to little males that prevents de-methylation results in them behaving more like females. In seems that the brain may develop with a number of genes in the neurons of the hypothalamus suppressed: If this is left unaltered, then the individual will develop as a female. [56]



And whether the same applies to man:



This agrees with the long-standing view that the ‘default’ condition is female.  However, testosterone is able to remove selected methylation tags, thus releasing genes that determine male-like behavior.  Now we need to know exactly what these genes do and, even more difficult, why they should specify gender. But it’s a start, and this breakthrough may be a door to much greater understanding of how sexuality develops and what influences it.  Of course, there’s another major question: does this apply to humans?

From what we know, we can prophesy that it is likely that it does, but that sexuality in humans in all its forms will also be greatly influenced by social and experiential factors to an extent, perhaps, not so apparent in other species (but which may also involve epigenetic events. [57]



And while there were those within the LGBT community and their supporters who expressed optimism at the findings which they believed could help strengthen their case for the affirmation of LGBT behavior or lead to biological discoveries that could provide justification to affirm such, [24, 25, 28, 29, 35, 40, 44, 47-51, 53, 61] with the left leaning NPR boldly stating that the study broadly reinforced the claim that a person's biology does influence their sexuality, [32] but the results of the genetic study did not give everyone in the LGBT community any small comfort and they even questioned whether the results of the study should have been released to the public. [29, 60] 
Steven Reilly of the Broad Institute said:



If the goal was to understand the deeper biology behind sexual behavior, this study design is likely not ideal — which the authors note — as the complexities of societal, cultural, and environmental effects on human behavior are hard to account for in post-hoc GWAS interpretation. Any one of the specific biological insights, such as correlation with mental illness or a specific variant near an olfactory gene, have a chance of being spurious…

At worst, the public will be misinformed and confused about why scientists would study this trait over thousands of serious diseases, all while a historically marginalized group has been left more vulnerable. [60]



Another geneticist said that the findings could pose additional dangers in nations where LGBT behavior is still criminalized for those found possessing genes that could be perceived as possibly influencing such behavior [35] which is the greatest danger of all because anyone perceived to be genetically inclined to LGBT behavior in such countries could very well be targeted for extermination and this would include those appearing to be genetically predisposed to LGBT behavior but who might not ever pursue same-sex relationships, even if they do happen to be predisposed to a same-sex orientation.

The full picture of the study also made conservatives and Christians who generally oppose same-sex marriage and LGBT behavior, feel vindicated in their stance [62-71] believing that the latest discoveries, far from justifying LGBT behavior, actually did far more to remove any excuse for it and any justification for forcing the affirmation thereof on those at odds with LGBT behavior than strengthen the case for LGBT behavior affirmation.

The increasingly "falsified" born gay narrative has been used to gain public sympathy for LGBT behavior and to persecute God-fearing men and women for upholding divine moral standards in their day to day lives and for declining to endorse the LGBT behavior that violates the dictates of their respective faiths; the Christian faith especially.

Columnist Robert Knight stated, "This is important because the LGBTQ movement is on a jihad to criminalize professionally licensed counseling aimed at reducing homosexual or gender dysphoric inclinations — even if a client wants it.  Their main argument is that if people are born gay or transgender and can't change, then any effort to assist them to do so amounts to malpractice or even criminal activity." [62, 64]

LifeSite's Paul Sullins also stating:



...the point of conflict for tolerance today is not so much for people who want to identify themselves as gay or lesbian but for people who want for themselves personally to avoid or resist such an identification.

On the grounds that they would be denying their immutable nature, numerous legislative and judicial efforts are currently underway to outlaw voluntary therapy for or deny the legitimacy of adults who experience some level of same-sex attraction but do not want to engage in same-sex relations or identify themselves as gay or lesbian. In the very jurisdictions where persons with same-sex orientation are now free to identify as gay and to engage in same-sex “marriage,” LGBT ideologues are working to deny the same persons the freedom to decline to identify as gay and to engage in opposite-sex marriage, on the premise that they would thereby be doing violence to who they really are.  

This study pulls the rug out from under such thinking. If “gay and lesbian” persons are genetically normal, what basis is there for considering them a distinct protected class subject to preferential treatment under the law or for prohibiting other genetically normal persons from refusing to engage in same-sex behavior?

The study finds that most persons with the identical genotype as “gay or lesbian” persons (by an approximate ratio of 2 to 1) end up, for various reasons of social environment or development or personal principle, not engaging in same-sex relations. Shouldn't such persons have equal freedom and legitimacy to do so? [70]



In short, the study revealed that genetics have almost no part in determining sexual orientation; not even the SNPs suspected of being the most instrumental influencing LGBT orientation and as confessed by the Broad Institute, it is not even clear whether other suspected variants have a role in shaping sexual behavior [56] and yet virtually every mainstream media source cited and some of the researchers involved in the study insist that genetics must have a part in determining sexual behavior while at the same time  admitting that there is almost none according to the research results.

They cannot have it both ways.  Either sexual orientation and behavior are genetically influenced or they are not.  But both cannot be true.  The study also discredited the Alfred Kinsey model [24, 25, 32, 50] which was a psychological experiment conducted to determine same-sex orientation, though some continue to have faith in it [44] despite its already known flaws.

Other so-called "gay gene" claims have been made in the past but have always been met with skepticism within the scientific community. [1, 4, 22, 32, 35, 38, 61]  

Genetic similarities of identical twins had always been touted as the best evidence that LGBT behavior was genetic but even Brendan Zietsch admitted that identical twins do not often share same-sex orientations [45-46] plus such studies have been too small to produce definitive results [39] for which Dean Hamer blamed so-called anti-gay forces whom he accused of restricting scientific research into sexual orientation. [41]  

Despite limited funding for such research which has financially limited the size and scope of such studies, [80, 83] the GWAS has been the largest study of any sexual orientation related kind, not to mention that the percentage of gays with brothers who are also gay only range anywhere from 8 to 12 percent [82] bringing the integrity of the studies of the sexual orientations of twins into question, which have placed the likely-hood of at 50 percent thus placing established theories about sexual orientation causations into doubt.

A widely known study that had taken place in the 1990s which revealed a so-called gay gene within the X chromosome and thus the claim gave rise to the so-called "gay gene" myth but what is not widely known is that the "gay-gene" claim had been discredited when other studies did not consistently reveal the same results as the first study [32, 35, 48, 54, 82] despite Dean Hamer's claims that the results of subsequent studies were consistent [41] but it had been flawed from the very start:



…scientists who do not believe you can trace human behaviour to genes have pointed out what they see as several weaknesses in the study.  

Evan Balaban of Harvard University and Anne Fausto-Sterling of
Brown University, who have often criticised such studies, are concerned that
the assertion that the trait is linked to the X chromosome is based in part
on the fact that there was a higher than normal proportion of gay men among
the maternal relatives of the men studied. But this was based on the
assumption that 2 per cent of men in the general population are gay – a
figure that has been hotly debated. If this figure is 4 per cent, some of
the findings lose their statistical significance.  


They are also concerned that the team obtained DNA samples from less than
half of the mothers in the genetic linkage study: the rest of the
calculations were based on estimates. [72]




What also made the study faulty is that it excluded women and twins were the primary study subjects.
It should also be noted that in 2003, after the completion of the human genome project, the mapping of the X and Y chromosomes did not reveal anything that could be identified as a "gay gene." [73]
That the GWAS study itself did not reveal any specific gay genes is certainly not surprising. 

In 2015, it was claimed that DNA tests were able to predict sexual orientation, but the sources claiming such had given a lot of self-contradictory and self-sabotaging statements on the matter.  The manner in which these tests were conducted was through the creation of a genetic algorithm created by a team of scientists at the University of California (UCLA) which measured small genetic changes that were said to occur after birth [74] which they believed could predict sexual orientation with 70 percent accuracy, [74-77] yet the study was flawed from the very start since the study centered around identical twins and men rather than a general population [74-77] and that the genes believed to be responsible for shaping sexual orientation were the type of genes that are designed to switch on or off. [74] Peter Tatchell, an LGBT behavior sympathizer admitted that how much the sexual orientation of the twins studied was influenced by their genes was unclear and appealed to Dean Hamer's discovery of the so-called "gay gene" in a chromosome; the solidity of which had already been discredited by subsequent studies that were not able to consistently replicate his results. [75]

Tatchell also said:



There is a major problem with any theories that posit the biological or environmental programming of sexual orientation from pre- or post birth. If heterosexuality and homosexuality are determined and fixed by early childhood — and therefore mutually exclusive and unchangeable — how do we explain bisexuality or people who, suddenly in mid-life, switch from heterosexuality to homosexuality (or vice versa)? We can't. [76]



Newser had also reported skepticism of the study amongst other members of the scientific community (and they had good reason to be skeptical) who said that such tests were prone to false positives due to what were described as "spurious associations that are down to sheer chance" and that further studies on a large scale needed to be conducted to determine the reliability of the first study. [77]

And years before that, a study suggested that neurological causes might also have a part in determining sexual orientation.  Neurologist Simon Lavey at Salk institute thought that he had found the neurological causation for homosexual after discovering that an area in the anterior hypothalamus known as the INAH-3 was smaller in gay men than in heterosexual men and claimed that the structure of the brain was what determined sexual orientation. [78-88] Other independent studies were conducted as well which Discover Magazine claimed to have turned up similar results [78] but an extensive article from True Origin.com, a Creationist website, disputed that claim, citing William Byne who said Lavey's work had not been replicated saying that "human neuroanatomical studies of this kind have a very poor track record for reproducibility.  Indeed, procedures similar to those LeVay used to identify nuclei have previously led researchers astray." [81]

True Origin also went on to say that nineteen of Lavey's study subjects had AIDS which has been known to decrease testosterone levels and thus has been suspected of affecting the size of the INAH-3, the part of the brain responsible for producing testosterone.  He did no inquiry of the medical history of the study subjects and nor did he inquire of the sexual orientation of the women who also served as study subjects and assumed that the men who did not have AIDS were heterosexual which they may or may not have been. [82]

This argument against Lavey's study may not necessarily discredit it because there was no information of the INAH-3 size of the homosexuals who did not have AIDS which is why Sage Journals dismissed that argument against his work as having "no apparent merit", [83] also going on to say:



LeVay ruled out AIDS as the cause of the difference, because the difference remained significant when he restricted his heterosexual male sample to those who had also died of AIDS. Also, among heterosexual subjects, there was no correlation between brain volume and AIDS. [84]



But True Origin went on to examine a more credible explanation:



Many have argued that what LeVay discovered in the brains of those he examined was only a result of prior behavior, not the cause of it.  Mark Breedlove, a researcher at the University of California at Berkeley, has demonstrated that sexual behavior has an effect on the brain.  In referring to his own research, Breedlove commented: “These findings give us proof for what we theoretically know to be the case—that sexual experience can alter the structure of the brain, just as genes can alter it....  [I]t is possible that differences in sexual behavior cause (rather than are caused by) differences in the brain” (as quoted in Byrd, et al., parenthetical item in orig.). 

Considering this type of research, it makes sense that a homosexual lifestyle (and/or the AIDS condition) could alter the size of the nuclei LeVay was measuring.

What exactly did LeVay find?  In actuality, not much.  He did observe slight differences between the groups—if you accept the method he used for measuring the size of the neuron clusters (and some researchers do not).  When each individual was considered by himself, there was not a significant difference; only when the individuals involved in the study were considered in groups of homosexuals vs. heterosexuals did differences result.  Hubbard and Wald commented on this lack of difference:



“Though, on average, the size of the hypothalamic nucleus LeVay considered significant was indeed smaller in the men he identified as homosexual, his published data show that the range of sizes of the individual samples was virtually the same as for the heterosexual men.  That is, the area was larger in some of the homosexuals than in many of the heterosexual men, and smaller in some of the heterosexual men than in many of the homosexuals.  This means that, though the groups showed some difference as groups, there was no way to tell anything about an individual’s sexual orientation by looking at his hypothalamus (1997, pp. 95-96, emp. added).”



Being homosexual himself, it is no surprise that LeVay observed: “...[P]eople who think that gays and lesbians are born that way are more likely to support gay rights.” In a Newsweek article, LeVay was quoted as saying, “I felt if I didn’t find any [difference in the hypothalamuses], I would give up a scientific career altogether” (as quoted in Gelman, et al., 1992, p. 49).  Given how (poorly) twisted LeVay’s data are, and his own personal bias, his abandonment of science may have ultimately been of greater service. [85]



But in fairness to LeVay, Origin did cite him as saying:



It’s important to stress what I didn’t find.  I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay.  I didn’t show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work.  Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain (as quoted in Byrd, et al., 2001, emp. added). [86]



If lifestyle practices can cause the brain to restructure or reprogram itself, as True Origin suggests, then it is also possible for a brain seemingly programmed for same-sex attraction to be reprogrammed for heterosexual attraction.  If that is the case, then there very well could be a cure for unwanted same-sex attractions for those who desire to be free of such.
Even Mark Breedlove admitted that brain development might not have held the answer to sexual orientation causation: 



At first blush you might think, “Well, gosh, maybe gay men didn’t get enough testosterone early in life…”  But as we find markers that should tell us about prenatal testosterone, they haven’t shown a consistent pattern. [87]



As Christians who ought to understand the nature of man which is inherently sinful since Adam, (Rom. 5:12) it should not at all surprise us if our genes and other biological factors predisposition us to sinful behavior, but at the same time, just as sin has made us inherently evil in the sight of God, we still retain a capacity to do what is right in His sight; to choose between good and evil.  That is why it should not matter to Christians if a genetic predisposition to LGBT behavior happens to exist in some people. [89-90]

To his credit, Ed Condon, writing for the National Catholic Register, while conceding to the possibility of LGBT behavior being influenced by genetics, still maintained that such must still be condemned.  He wrote that while men may not be able to choose sinful dispositions, they still retain the choice to act or not act on them, further adding that the Catholic Church teaches that even LGBT inclinations are "objectively disordered", [90] as is all sin since sin violates the perfect established order in which God created the world and by which man was to be governed.

If there is a genetic predisposition to LGBT behavior, then there is no reason to say that the same cannot be said for any sin, but we also have in us the ability to choose not to follow the sinful, sensual, and corrupt carnal desires that displease the Maker.

In a twist of irony, according to a psychological science survey, political and religious beliefs were more heavily influenced by genetics than even sexual orientation. [91-92]

But for all their insistence that sexual orientation is genetically influenced, even LGBT behavior sympathizing sources admit that choice is a factor when it comes to whether or not sexual orientation defines each person's life [29, 30, 31, 39, 40, 44-46, 75, 77]
One researcher said that sexuality was ultimately something each person defines for themselves:



It’s a very personal thing. It’s about what your experience is. Some of it is genetic, but some of it is your personal history. It’s what you actually do, who you connect with, and how you end up living your life. [93]



Even Brendan Zietsch admitted that it would be wrong to say that sexual orientation is genetically determined [94-98] and if sexual orientation is not genetically determined, then "choice" does play a part all the more in shaping sexuality as far as a way of life goes.  Peter Tatchell of the Telegraph, also that sexual predisposition and determination "are two different things." [99]

The Genetic Literacy Project also made an interesting observation: "Just because one individual might have the epigenetic pattern associated with homosexual individuals doesn’t mean he is, necessarily, a homosexual." [100]  

If that is the case, then either sexual orientation may not be directly influenced by genetics, or those with an LGBT predisposition are choosing to abstain by reason of principle; a fact the left-leaning Snopes acknowledged. [101]

But just as it does not matter to Christians as to whether or not genetics has a definitive part in influencing sexual orientation---to them, genetic dispositions to do that which is displeasing to God is evidence that we are inherently sinful---it does not seem to matter to some within the LGBT community whether or not there is a genetic basis.

People such as Guardian columnist Owen Jones will still continue to insist that sexual behavior is not a choice and that any notion that it is should be placed in the same bin as any pseudoscience or superstition [102] but in reality, it is the notion that people cannot choose how they behave that needs to be put in the same bin.  As mentioned before, other left-leaning and LGBT sympathizing sources have already admitted that there is a difference between a predisposition---all of which we have in one form or another and not all of have the same predispositions---and an action or behavior.

The latest revelations just go to show that the LGBT agenda is not merely about civil rights as much of the public has been led to believe but rather it is driven by an antichrist spirit that seeks to make a caricature out of the Church and when followers of Christ refuse to submit to any demands that would discredit their witness for Christ, they are denigrated, boycotted, sued, penalized, and in some cases, even threatened with and subjected to violence, yet the latest GWAS study should give cause for Christians and conservatives to become even more emboldened in their refusal to endorse LGBT behavior because rather than show that choice has nothing to do with behavior, the latest GWAS results leave much room for “choice” which is why LGBTs have no business in demanding affirmation from those who do not agree with that kind of behavior or lifestyle and we need to have the courage to make it known to them that they need to remain content with the affirmation they receive from one another and from their sympathizers if an LGBT lifestyle is the path that they choose and be willing to accept the consequences that come with those choices, because the choices we make do have consequences which is part of taking responsibility for our actions and decisions.

A day is coming when we are all going to have to stand before God and give an account for everything said and done and there is no excuse that we can give for unrepentant sin.  Those who attempt to blame their DNA for the sin they love so much will be told that they had also been given the capacity to choose the things of the light rather than the darkness, but instead, they chose to align themselves with the things of darkness and to love sin rather than submit themselves to righteousness and give themselves to the light.

Just because we may have a predisposition to particular sins, and that is different for everyone, that does not mean that we are slaves to it.  We experience a wide range of emotions, sensualities, infatuations, lusts, and desires and we may not have control what emotions arise in us or what carnalities are arouse, and we may not help what predispositions we have but we do have a choice whether we yield to these things and how we respond to them.

And how we respond to them has eternal consequences and because we have yielded ourselves to things displeasing to our Maker in one form or another, we have cut ourselves off from Him for the sinless cannot abide with the sinful lest that which is perfect becomes tainted with the imperfect and the pure with the corrupt, but in His mercy and love, Christ the sinless gave Himself for the sinner in order that the sins which would otherwise condemn us for all eternity and cast us into perpetual darkness and unimaginable torment could be forgiven by placing our trust in Christ alone for our salvation and in no other name or means.

For in doing so, our souls are cleansed from the filthiness of our sins and we are guaranteed to be forever in Heaven in the presence of our Lord and no longer will we desire to continue to give ourselves to the very things that condemn us, but we should desire to honor our God in everything we do out of love for Him and gratitude for His mercy and grace by which our sins are taken away through the cleansing blood of Christ.

No longer do we remain slaves to the sinful passions, but receive in us another nature that desires to please God and the more we yield ourselves to this nature, the less power the former holds over us even though we may stumble and fall short at times.  But the day is coming when we who have given ourselves to Christ will be made perfect as He is made perfect when our bodies which were corrupted by sin will be free of its presence when they are changed into an incorruptible form. (1 Cor. 15:22)

But because the journey to perfection begins when Christ enters into us, we need to put to death the sinful desires (Rom. 8:13, Col. 3:5) daily and give strength to the desires of the new nature given to us; the desires of the new nature being heavenward and not worldly, spiritual and not carnal, holy and not sinful, to the things of light and truth and not to darkness and falsehood because what must define us is the God who made us, lives in us, and the coming Kingdom, not the deeds of the flesh that before Christ, damned us, not this present world which will pass away, nor the powers of darkness which will be vanquished and meet their doom which is why we are admonished throughout scripture to set our sights on the things eternal, strive to live godly and holy lives pleasing to God, and stand on the side of truth and righteousness against the lies darkness of this present age, calling to Christ as many souls who are willing, out of the darkness to repent of their sins by which they have been condemned to embrace the light of Christ that their sins may be forgiven that they may forever dwell with Him.




Related Posts



What If There Was A “Christian Gene”?  A Hypothetical Post

Sinister Agenda: Is Depopulation A Foundational Goal Of The LGBT Movement?

Ex-Gays And Children Raised By Gays: Two Parties Who Need To Make Their Voices Heard 
In The Gay Marriage Controversy



End Notes:




1.  Jonathan Lambert, "No 'gay gen': Massive study homes in on genetic basics for human sexuality," Nature, August 29, 2019
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02585-6

2.  Andrea Ganna, Karin J. H. Verweij, Michel G. Nivard, Robert Maier, Robbee Wedow, Alexander S. Busch, Abdel Abdellaoui, Shengru Guo, J. Fah Sathirapongsasuti, 23andMe Research Team, Paul Lichtenstein, Sebastian Lundström, Niklas LÃ¥ngström, Adam Auton, Kathleen Mullan Harris18,19, Gary W. Beecham15, Eden R. Martin15, Alan R. Sanders, John R. B. Perry, Benjamin M. Neale, Brendan P. Zietsch, "Large-scale GWAS reveals insights into the genetic architecture of same-sex behavior," Science
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6456/eaat7693

3.  Ibid

4.  Lindsey Tanner, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," Associated Press, August 29, 2019
https://www.apnews.com/ef30900e20c04a5e8411ad7ddf5cc2c3

5.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press,"New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study,"
Insider, August 29, 2019
https://www.insider.com/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge-study-2019-8

6.  Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
News Channel 3 WREG, Memphis Tennessee, August 29, 2019
https://wreg.com/2019/08/29/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge-study/

7.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex genetics found, but no specific gene, new study shows," Chicago Tribune, August 29, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-same-sex-study-genetics-20190829-lmqxvdikzjabxlihf6ms3faltm-story.html

8.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Detroit News, August 29, 2019
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/wellness/2019/08/29/new-genetic-links-sex-sexuality-found-huge-study/40044599/

9.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Lacrosse Tribune, August 29, 2019
https://lacrossetribune.com/news/national/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge/article_3da399e4-d049-5995-9be2-05f675357dd0.html

10.  Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," Star Adviser, August 29, 2019
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/08/29/breaking-news/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge-study/

11.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Quad City Times, Davenport Iowa, August 29, 2019
https://qctimes.com/news/national/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge/article_6aa2c794-b80a-551f-9792-a15ef2f9843f.html

12.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Herald& Review, Decatur, Illinois, August 29, 2019
https://herald-review.com/news/national/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge/article_5ece9cbd-5100-5c42-8225-087d615ec6c4.html

13.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Tuscon.com, Tuscon Arizona, August 29, 2019
https://tucson.com/news/national/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge/article_52db3e0a-9eca-5444-a272-9c45df788ac2.html

14.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "No single gene makes people gay, but genetics play a role: study,"
Global News, August 29, 2019
https://globalnews.ca/news/5832423/homosexuality-genetics-study/

15.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Auburnpub.com, Auburn, New York,  August 29, 2019
https://auburnpub.com/news/national/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge/article_59bfd0d2-c1ef-59dd-a982-ba8dee5bd062.html

16.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Bloomington Illinois, August 29, 2019
https://www.pantagraph.com/news/national/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge/article_ec307b86-da8c-56f7-95e8-b17cf906912e.html

17.  Lindesy Tanner; Associated Press, "Study:  No 'gay gene,' but a genetic link to sexuality," 
Mercury News, San Jose California, August 29, 2019
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08/29/study-no-gay-gene-but-a-genetic-link-to-sexuality/

18.  Associated Press, "Study finds there's no 'gay gene,' but genetics are linked to same-sex behavior," 
FOX Denver 31; 2 Colorado's Own News, Denver Colorado, August 29, 2019
https://kdvr.com/2019/08/29/study-finds-theres-no-gay-gene-but-genetics-are-linked-to-same-sex-behavior/

19.  Associated Press, "Multiple new genes linked to same-sex sexual behavior, once again ruling out a single 'gay gene,'" STAT, August 29, 2019
https://www.statnews.com/2019/08/29/new-genetic-links-same-sex-sexuality/

20.  Associated Press, "A 'gay gene?' It's complicated, according to new research on same-sex behavior," 
NBC News, August 29, 2019
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/new-genetic-links-same-sex-sexual-behavior-found-n1047951

21.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex sexuality found in huge study," 
Big Country (KTAB, KRBC), Abilene Texas, August 30, 2019
https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/health-news/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-sexuality-found-in-huge-study/

22.  Associated Press, "New genetic links to same-sex behavior found in huge study," New York Post, August 30, 2019
https://nypost.com/2019/08/30/new-genetic-links-to-same-sex-behavior-found-in-huge-study/

23.  Lindsey Tanner; Associated Press, "New Study Finds Genetics Influence LGBTQ Sexuality, But Still No 'Gay Gene,'" Huffington Post (Huff Post),  August 30, 2019
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lgbtq-genetics-study_n_5d692f62e4b0488c0d138418?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20vc2VhcmNoP3E9dGhlK3NlYXJjaCtmb3IrdGhlK2dheStnZW5lK25ldytzdHVkeStwcmVkaWN0YWJsZStyZWFjdGlvbnMmcXM9biZzcD0tMSZwcT10aGUrc2VhcmNoK2Zvcit0aGUrZ2F5K2dlbmUrbmV3K3N0dWR5K3ByZWRpY3RhYmxlK3JlYWN0aW9ucyZzYz0wLTU5JnNrPSZjdmlkPTU3RDlGRTNGRjhDNzQxMEZCMUIxMzlDQ0Y1RjAxRDY5JmZpcnN0PTExJkZPUk09UE9SRQ&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGtePUKMk7aqJvHNoKmHBpnjhecMcTHDg1zHTkHsMx7WQMdKymwbpGiQT16jdjCY5d69vHjIL_6mfCL0OihoEKckePurNiy19xjOSD9UiYRjLd-BcGnV1hbB2fGUl-k6bOwdgeFxef9UROm1sipwH18R5ZjvRIO_adp5Amo4Wb6p

24.  Dennis Thompson, Health Day Reporter, "There is no 'gay gene,' major concludes,"
Medical Express, August 29, 2019
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-08-gay-gene-major.html

25.  Dennis Thompson, "Is there a 'gay gene?' Major new study says no," 
CBS News, August 29, 2019
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-gay-gene-new-study-no-single-gene-drives-sexual-behavior-complex-mix-of-genetic-and-other-influences-2019-08-29/

26.  Susan Scutti, "No 'gay gene' can predict sexual orientation, study says," CNN, August 30, 2019
https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/30/health/gay-gene-study-trnd/index.html

27.  CNN News Source, "Study: No 'gay gene' can predict sexual orientation," 4nbci.com
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/study-no-gay-gene-can-predict-sexual-orientation/

28.  Reuters, "No 'Gay Gene,' but Study Finds Links to Sexual Behavior," VOA News, August 30, 2019
https://www.voanews.com/science-health/no-gay-gene-study-finds-genetic-links-sexual-behavior

29.  Angus Chen, "Study Finds No 'Gay Gene,' But Some Question Whether The Search Should Have Started At All," 90.9 WBUR (local station; location info inaccessible)
https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2019/08/30/broad-institute-same-sex-genome-research

30.  John Johnson, "Do Humans Have a 'Gay Gene?' New Study Thinks Not," Newser, August 30, 2019
https://www.newser.com/story/279825/do-humans-have-a-gay-gene-big-new-study-thinks-not.html

31.  Charles Q. Choi, "The 'Gay Gene' Is A Total Myth, Massive Study Concludes," Live Science, August 29, 2019
https://www.livescience.com/no-single-gene-makes-someone-gay.html

32.  Richard Harris, "Search For 'Gay Genes' Comes Up Short In Large New Study," NPR, August 29, 2019 
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/08/29/755484917/do-genes-play-a-role-in-who-you-have-sex-with-large-study-explores-a-tricky-ques

33.  "No single 'gay gene' exists, says scientists," The Journal.ie., August 29, 2019 
https://www.thejournal.ie/gay-gene-science-genetics-4788255-Aug2019/

34.  Ibid

35.  Suzannah Lyons, Science reporter, "No single 'gay gene,' reveals the largest-ever study of the genetics of same-sexual behavior," 
ABCAustralia, August 30, 2019
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-08-30/no-single-gay-gene-study-finds-science/11461114

36.  Ibid

37.  Ibid

38.  Sara Reardon, "Massive Study Finds No Single Genetic Cause Of Same-Sex Sexual Behavior," Scientific American, August 29, 2019
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/massive-study-finds-no-single-genetic-cause-of-same-sex-sexual-behavior/

39.  Tal Axelrod, "New study finds there is no 'gay gene' but genetics are linked to sexuality," The Hill, August 29, 2019
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/459328-new-study-finds-there-is-no-gay-gene-but-genetics-are-linked-to

40.  Amina Kahn, Staff Writer, "No single 'gay gene' same-sex sexual behavior, DNA analysis finds,"  Los Angeles Times, August 29, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2019-08-29/there-is-no-single-gay-gene

41.  Dean Hamer, "New Study Disputes 'Gay Gene' But Doesn't Separate Sex From Identity," Advocate, August 29, 2019
https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/8/29/new-study-disputes-gay-gene-doesnt-separate-sex-identity

42.  Ibid

43.  Ibid

44.   Tina Hesman Saey, "There's no evidence that a single 'gay gene' exists," 
Science News, August 29, 2019
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/no-evidence-that-gay-gene-exists

45.  Brendan Ziestch, "'Gay gene' search reveals not one but many and no way to predict sexuality," The Conversation, August 29, 2019
http://theconversation.com/gay-gene-search-reveals-not-one-but-many-and-no-way-to-predict-sexuality-122459

46.  Brendan Ziestch, "'Gay gene' search reveals not one but many and no ay to predict sexuality," 
The University of Queensland (UQ News), August 30, 2019
https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2019/08/gay-gene’-search-reveals-not-one-many-–-and-no-way-predict-sexuality

47.  Lindesy Bever; The Washington Post, "No 'gay gene' but genetics linked to same-sex behavior, new study says," MassLive, August 29, 2019
https://www.masslive.com/living/2019/08/no-gay-gene-but-genetics-linked-to-same-sex-behavior-new-study-says.html

48.  Lindsey Bever; The Washington Post, "'Gay gene' doesn't exist but genetics are linked to same-sex behavior, new study says,"
Sydney Moring Herald, August 30, 2019
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/gay-gene-doesn-t-exist-but-genetics-are-linked-to-same-sex-behavior-new-study-says-20190830-p52m8o.html

49.  Lindsey Bever; The Washington Post, "There's No Gay Gene But Genetics Linked To Same-Sex Behaviour: Report
https://www.ndtv.com/science/theres-no-gay-gene-but-genetics-linked-to-same-sex-behaviour-report-2092695

50.  "There Is No 'Gay Gene,' Major Study Concludes," Drugs.com, August 29, 2019
https://www.drugs.com/news/there-no-gay-gene-major-study-concludes-84809.html

51.  Sally Robertson, B. Sc., "Large study quashes idea of 'gay gene,'" Medical Life Science News, September 2, 2019
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190902/Large-study-quashes-idea-of-gay-gene.aspx

52.  Staff reports, "No single gene, but genetics a one-third factor in gay sex," Washington Blade, September 8, 2019
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2019/09/08/no-single-gene-but-genetics-a-one-third-factor-in-gay-sex/

53.  "Scientists quash idea of single 'gay gene,'" The Guardian, August 29, 2019
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/29/scientists-quash-idea-of-single-gay-gene

54.  "No single gene associated with being gay," BBC News, August 29, 2019
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49484490

55.  Joe Herbert, B.M., Ph.D., "How the Brain Determines Sexuality," Psychology Today, June 11, 2017
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hormones-and-the-brain/201706/how-the-brain-determines-sexuality

56.  Ibid

57.  Ibid

58.  Neil Swidey, "What Makes People Gay?" Boston Globe (Boston.com), August 14, 2005 
http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/

59.  J. Michael Bailey, Paul L. Vasey, Lisa M. Diamond, S. Marc Breedlove, Eric Vilain, Marc Epprecht, "Sexual Orientation, Controversy, and Science," Sage Journals, April 25, 2016
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1529100616637616

60.  Steven Reilly, "Opinion: For all this science, what did we learn?" Broad Institute; Broad Blog, August 29, 2019
https://www.broadinstitute.org/blog/opinion-all-science-what-did-we-learn

61.  Broad Communications, "Perspectives on the complex genetics of same-sex sexual behavior," 
Broad Institute, August 29, 2019
https://www.broadinstitute.org/news/perspectives-complex-genetics-same-sex-sexual-behavior

62.  Robert Knight, "Media puts positive spin on latest 'gay gene' study," The Washington Times, September 8, 2019
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/sep/8/media-positive-spin-latest-gay-gene-study/

63.  Roxanne "Butter" Bracco, "New study debunks 'gay gene' theory, LGBT activists change narrative," 
The Global Dispatch, September 4, 2019
http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/new-study-debunks-gay-gene-theory-lgbt-activists-change-narrative/

64.  Robert Knight, Guest columnist, "Media puts positive spin on latest 'gay gene' study," 
One News Now, September 13, 2019
https://onenewsnow.com/perspectives/robert-knight/2019/09/13/media-puts-positive-spin-on-latest-gay-gene-study

65.  John Stonestreet, "BreakPoint: The Search for the 'Gay Gene,'" BreakPoint, September 2, 2019
http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/09/breakpoint-the-search-for-the-gay-gene/

66.  John Stonestreet, "The search for the 'Gay Gene,'" Catholic Citizens of Illinois, September 2, 2019
https://catholiccitizens.org/views/88813/the-search-for-the-gay-gene/

67.  John Stonestreet, "The search for the 'gay gene': New study, predictable reactions," 
The Christian Post, September 3, 2019
https://www.christianpost.com/voice/the-search-for-the-gay-gene-new-study-predictable-reactions.html

68.  John Stonestreet, "The search for the 'gay gene': A new study, predictable reactions," 
Christian News Journal, September 3, 2019
https://christiannewsjournal.com/the-search-for-the-gay-gene-a-new-study-predictable-reactions/

69.  John Stonestreet, Christian Post Guest columnist; Christian Post, "The search for the 'gay gene': New study, predictable reactions,"
Zanesville Northside Church of the Nazarene, September 3, 2019
https://www.nsnaz.org/news/35-the-christian-post/7743-the-search-for-the-gay-gene-new-study,-predictable-reactions

70.  Fr. Paul Sullins, "Sociologist: New Study 'explodes' narrative that people are born 'gay,'" 
LifeSite News, September 3, 2019
https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/sociologist-new-study-explodes-narrative-that-people-are-born-gay

71.  Lyne Langdon, "More than genes," World, September 5, 2019
https://world.wng.org/content/more_than_genes

72.  Susan Katz Miller, "Gene hunters sound warning over gay link," New Scientist; Issue 1883, July 24, 1993
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13918830-300-gene-hunters-sound-warning-over-gay-link/

73.  Brad Harrub, Ph.D. and Bert Thompson, Ph.D. and Dave Miller, Ph.D., "'This Is The Way God Made Me': A Scientific Examination of Homosexuality and the Gay Gene," True Origin
https://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.php

74.   Melissa Healy, Staff Writer, "Scientists find DNA differences between gay men and their twin brothers," Los Angeles Times, October 8, 2015
https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-genetic-homosexuality-nature-nurture-20151007-story.html

75.  Peter Tatchell, "The latest 'gay gene' study gives no comfort to homophobes," The Telegraph, October 9, 2015
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/11922975/The-latest-gay-gene-study-gives-no-comfort-to-homophobes.html

76.  Ibid

77.  Elizabeth Armstrong Moore, "Study: DNA Test Can Predict Whether You're Gay," Newser, October 10, 2015
https://www.newser.com/story/214168/gene-algorithm-may-be-able-to-predict-if-youre-gay.html

78.  Michael Abrams, "The Real Story on Gay Genes," Discover Magazine; pgs. 3-4, June 5, 2007
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/jun/born-gay

79.  Joe Herbert, B.M., Ph.D., Ibid

80.  Swidey, Ibid

81. True Origin; Ibid 

82. True Origin; Ibid

83. Sage Journals, Ibid

84.  Ibid

85.  Ibid

86.  True Origin; Ibid

87.  True Origin; Ibid

88.  Abrams, pg. 4

89.  Ken Ham, "No Gay Gene?  Do Genetics Determine Morality?"  Answers In Genesis, September 9, 2019
https://answersingenesis.org/family/gender/no-gay-gene-do-genetics-determine-morality/

90.  Ed Condon/CNA, "Study Finds No 'Gay Gene'---and What That Means in Light of Catholic Morality,"
National Catholic Register, August 30, 2019
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/study-finds-no-gay-gene-and-what-that-means-in-light-of-catholic-morality

91.  Peter Sprigg, "Landmark Study Determines There Is No 'Gay Gene,'" 
Family Research Council (FRC), August 30, 2019
https://frcblog.com/2019/08/landmark-study-determines-there-no-gay-gene/

92. Thomas J. Brouchard Jr., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, “Genetic Influence on Human Psychological Traits A Survey,”
Current Directions In Psychological Science
http://www18.homepage.villanova.edu/diego.fernandezduque/Teaching/PhysiologicalPsychology/zCurrDir4200/CurrDirGeneticsTraits.pdf

93.  Chen; WBUR 90.9, Ibid

94.  Johnson; Newser, Ibid

95.  Choi; Live Science, Ibid

96.  Saey; Science News, Ibid

97.  Zietsch; The Coversation, Ibid

98.  Zietsch;  The University of Queensland (UQ News), Ibid

99.  Tatchell; The Telegraph, Ibid

100.  Yasmin Tayag, "Despite what you may have read, there's no 'gay gene,'" Genetics Literacy Project, October 12, 2015
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/10/12/despite-what-you-may-have-read-theres-no-gay-gene/

101.  Alex Kasprak, "Large-Scale Study Bolsters Notion That Genetics Contribute to Sexual Orientation," 
Snopes, August 30, 2019
https://www.snopes.com/news/2019/08/30/genes-sexual-orientation-study/

102.  Owen Jones, "'Gay gen' theories belong in the past---now we know sexuality is far more fluid," 
The Guardian, August 30, 2019
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/30/gay-gene-theories-past-sexuality-fluid



Scripture references:




1.  Romans 5:12

2.  1 Corinthians 15:22

3.  Romans 8:13

4.  Colossians 3:5

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