Poll: If you could know your baby's sexual orientation...

[erythro]

-Nothing left to debate-

You are only a few posts in, yet your already on your way to be a true Escapist.

I'll take that as a complement ^.^;;.

 

[ix_tab]

I'm gay and like hell I'd change the genes. Like I care who sleeps with who if they are not sleeping with me.

 

[WalrusMan]

If for some reason I ever had children, I would never change their sexualities.

 

[psychowatcher]

I'd probably be afraid to go to a doctor if this was possible. Last thing I need is a doctor using said technology to mess with my baby (Suppose I get one of those really Christian Right doctors and my baby turns out it would be gay. That's one of my worst nightmares there).

Besides, I wouldn't like opening my baby's genes to deliberate human error. If my baby is born screwed up, I'd like it to be by random chance rather than Missy the Lab Tech mislabeling something. I've seen too many horror films to risk messing with genetics for such matters. I want no part of it.

 

[irishdelinquent]

Where is the option for the fact Homosexuality is a choice, not a matter genes.
EDIT: Ok perhaps it is genes, but people can overcome genes.

Despite the fact that your sexual orientation is a choice, and not genetics-based, we'll play this game.

I would not touch the genetics of my child at all, regardless of the changes it could make. I say let nature take it's course.

You're both intolerant idiots. No, you don'tjust go and *choose* to like men or women. Are you straight? Did you one day decide "Hey, I want to be straight." No, of course not, don't be ridiculous.

"People can overcome genes."

Are. You. Serious. You know what, why don't you overcome your genes right now and grow a vagina. Go ahead. Do it. Right now. Or maybe you don't like your nose? Hell, just will it to change! Or maybe neurological. Feel your IQ's too low? Just think it higher! Aren't genetically predisposed to be extremely good at sports? No matter, will your metabolism higher! Need I go on?

Firstly, how is it that offerring a different opinion makes me intolerant? Intolerance implies that I am refusing to accept an opinion or other form of information; I disagree with your belief, but I tolerate it. Also, calling me an idiot is unnecessary; while you may have been primarily referring to the other poster, you also implied that I was an idiot which I feel was unfair.

Secondly, if sexual orientation is fixed dependant on genetic disposition, then how do you explain those who change their orientation over their lives? My aunt recently revealed that she had come out, but had been in heterosexual relationships before. I know more people who have gone from gay or bi to straight, or any combination in between. To me, that sounds an awful lot like making a choice. My roommate, who is in his third year of university study for Biology says that he (and by extension his whole program) have never heard of nor found a gene for sexual orientation.

A gene for sexual orientation other than heterosexual would be pointless, anyways; homosexual relationships could never reproduce, and therefore would be pointless in terms of fulfilling their biological imperative. As for your other examples of choosing to alter your genes, try and keep the hyperbolic speech out of this. Your examples of changing a physical feature, or enhancing your muscle tones strictly through belief is stupid. However, sexual orientation is not a physical trait, it is an emotional reaction; emotions can be changed.

 

[riskroWe]

If I could change the kid's genes, I'd be a lot more concerned about their appearance and intelligence than their sexual orientation...

Also, I'm gonna say sexual orientation is decided during an infant's psychological formation and it isn't genetic nor is it something that can be changed in adulthood.

 

[leviathanmisha]

My cats were gay, my bf is bisexual, I have gay and lesbian friends. I think I would be ok with my kid being gay/lesbian...and besides, guys are lesbians and girls are gay...a little oddball thoughts there.

 

[Thallis]

Homosexuality isn't genetic...neither is a choice...
It has a basis in both...
Like most things your are predetirmined to have a higher CHANCE of something.
Genetically some people are more likely to be gay than others.
However the way they are brought up and the way they grow also defines this.
It's really just another angle on the nature/nurture debate...

i don't believe for one second i was born gay...
however i don't think i have much choice either.
I was brought up in an open minded family, with open minded friends and when the 'gay tendancies' of my personality began to show i was in an environment that allowed it to flourish.

Genetics are irrelevant. All the matters is raising those kids in a way that can be whoever they want.

I would view this the same way i veiw screening for learning disabilities or disease's. With the possible exception of those rare cases where continuing with the pregnancy/birth brings a high level of risk to both mother and child, it is irrelevant.

While, it is a stretch to say it's a complete matter of genes, it is also a stretch to say environment can play into it that late into your development. I am gay too, but I was raised in a conservative family, with strong catholic influence. I always assumed I'd be straight, that is, until I noticed how good looking(Along with other things I shouldn't mention) my friend was.

I'm fairly certain that the environmental factors are most influential during early development in the womb and the first few years (Which explains why there is a much higher chance of someone with many older brothers being gay).

Either way, I would not change the genes of my child. Hopefully by the time they reach the stage they discover their sexuality, the world's outlook may be more accepting.

 

[dagens24]

I'm straight but I wouldn't change my kids genes. Straight or gay, who cares? As long as he/she is happy that's all that matters.

 

[dagens24]

Actually, on second thought, I kind of hope my kids turn out to be gay. There are way too many people in this world, homosexuality is an awesome way to limit population.

 

[WalrusMan]

Firstly, how is it that offerring a different opinion makes me intolerant? Intolerance implies that I am refusing to accept an opinion or other form of information; I disagree with your belief, but I tolerate it. Also, calling me an idiot is unnecessary; while you may have been primarily referring to the other poster, you also implied that I was an idiot which I feel was unfair.

Secondly, if sexual orientation is fixed dependant on genetic disposition, then how do you explain those who change their orientation over their lives? My aunt recently revealed that she had come out, but had been in heterosexual relationships before. I know more people who have gone from gay or bi to straight, or any combination in between. To me, that sounds an awful lot like making a choice. My roommate, who is in his third year of university study for Biology says that he (and by extension his whole program) have never heard of nor found a gene for sexual orientation.

A gene for sexual orientation other than heterosexual would be pointless, anyways; homosexual relationships could never reproduce, and therefore would be pointless in terms of fulfilling their biological imperative. As for your other examples of choosing to alter your genes, try and keep the hyperbolic speech out of this. Your examples of changing a physical feature, or enhancing your muscle tones strictly through belief is stupid. However, sexual orientation is not a physical trait, it is an emotional reaction; emotions can be changed.

So you are saying that someone who is in a heterosexual relationship is always straight? And someone who is in a homosexual relationship is always gay? And changing the sex of the person you are in a relationship with changes your own sexuality? People only get into relationships with people they are attracted to then? There are no other factors?

And what about these people who "make a choice"? Are you saying that because someone says that they are something at one point in time, and then says that they are a different thing in another point in time, that they changed what they were? Is it not possible that they simply were confused, lying, or just ignorant of their own sexuality? Based on your logic, if my friend says to me that he rode a magical fairy unicorn, then that instantly means that he did, because he said it, and people can never say things that are untrue.

I'm not saying that being gay is only or even partially related to genes, but your saying that people can choose their sexuality with your only evidence being "because someone did once" is very ignorant.

EDIT: Sorry for my quoting. This is of course directed at irishdelinquent.

 

[PrinceoN]

Where is the option for the fact Homosexuality is a choice, not a matter genes.
EDIT: Ok perhaps it is genes, but people can overcome genes.

people can overcome being a hemophiliac??? DOWN SYNDROME IS OVERCOMABLE??? OH MY FUCKING GOD!

 

[Ezekel]

Where is the option for the fact Homosexuality is a choice, not a matter genes.
EDIT: Ok perhaps it is genes, but people can overcome genes.

people can overcome being a hemophiliac??? DOWN SYNDROME IS OVERCOMABLE??? OH MY FUCKING GOD!

Diseases are very different from propensities. Some people are genetically predispositioned to alcoholism, or temper, or liking meat more than vegetables. A person can stop drinking alcohol, can learn to control their temper, or can become a vegetarian.

Diseases are not actions, homosexuality is an action. We have control over our actions, is it complete control? No, but saying that someone that is genetically predispositioned to something is incapable of overcoming it is not true.

 

[Taneer]

Now seems like a good time to point out that Bisexuality is not in the poll.

 

[Necrofudge]

Wouldn't care much. Although it could give me a heads up on what clothes to buy them when they're growing up. Dresses if they're boys, and lumberjack attire if they're girls.

that would transgenderism, which has nothing to do with homosexuality. but if your children really end up transgendered, you'll be able to tell at an early age.

The dress, maybe. But you obviously haven't seen one of those activist lesbians on the news with the short hair and clothes similar to that of a mechanic.

Also, "that would transgenderism" ? There was absolutely nothing right with that, grammatically or otherwise. Transgenderism is not a thing. You would never call someone a transgender and have proper grammar or even be politically correct. It's transvestite or hermaphrodite depending on if there was surgery involved or if it was a birth defect.

 

[Johnmw]

Sexuality isn't something in your genes. If that was the case the so called "homosexual" gene would've died out ages ago.

And no, I wouldn't change it.

You'd think so, but a gene only dies out if it has disadvantages that outweigh the advantages.

There's a gene prevalent in Africa where one copy leads to a resistance to Malaria, while two copies leads to sickle cell anaemia, which is very bad for anyone to have, especially without good health care available.
The point being, malaria resistance saves more lives than sickle cell Anaemia kills people, hence the gene for it survives.

The most prevalent theory for the 'gay' gene links it to increased fertility in women. So, while it reduces the offspring of any gay children, this is more than compensated for by the increased number of children born to women with this gene.

Simple really, but not immediately obvious. For a similar reason, we have a 50/50 split of male and female, even though reproductively it would be more efficient to have more women than men...

Thank you for a perfect scientific explanation.
I am straight and my brother (older) is gay. There is no reason to bother with your kids sexuality. How many fathers, when their little princess starts noticing boys, cannot relate to them? How many mothers, who's son's start bringing home girls, get awkward? The parents should never have control over such things. In the words of Bill Hicks Life's just a ride, stop killing each other and go with it.

 

[PrinceoN]

Where is the option for the fact Homosexuality is a choice, not a matter genes.
EDIT: Ok perhaps it is genes, but people can overcome genes.

people can overcome being a hemophiliac??? DOWN SYNDROME IS OVERCOMABLE??? OH MY FUCKING GOD!

Diseases are very different from propensities. Some people are genetically predispositioned to alcoholism, or temper, or liking meat more than vegetables. A person can stop drinking alcohol, can learn to control their temper, or can become a vegetarian.

Diseases are not actions, homosexuality is an action. We have control over our actions, is it complete control? No, but saying that someone that is genetically predispositioned to something is incapable of overcoming it is not true.

wow...i really wasnt expecting that one o.o you win this round sir.

However, does the alcoholic HAVE to control his alcoholism? Does the tempermental person have to control his temper? Only when its detramental to other things. I can throw a temper tantrum while trying to drink myself to death, but if all i do is jump up and down on my own floor then proceeding to throw up on myself, is anyone going to care? i sure as hell hope not.

but i dont think thats what you were arguing, sorry. but feel free to proceed =D

 

[WalrusMan]

Where is the option for the fact Homosexuality is a choice, not a matter genes.
EDIT: Ok perhaps it is genes, but people can overcome genes.

people can overcome being a hemophiliac??? DOWN SYNDROME IS OVERCOMABLE??? OH MY FUCKING GOD!

Diseases are very different from propensities. Some people are genetically predispositioned to alcoholism, or temper, or liking meat more than vegetables. A person can stop drinking alcohol, can learn to control their temper, or can become a vegetarian.

Diseases are not actions, homosexuality is an action. We have control over our actions, is it complete control? No, but saying that someone that is genetically predispositioned to something is incapable of overcoming it is not true.

Having sex with someone of the same sex is an action.

Homosexuality is not an action.

 

[Firia]

Lesbian; wouldn't change the orientation. If I learned my parents tweeked MY genes to suit some kind of cultural or religious need to be "normal," I'd go out of my mind with anger. It would be a violation of MY ethics, years after the fact!

Straight, gay, leave those kids alone.

Where is the option for the fact Homosexuality is a choice, not a matter genes.

Well I'm guessing that option isn't there because it's complete bollocks.

Ninja'd. But that's ok. I'm rather happy I wasn't the first person to call it out.