The Human Rights Campaign welcomes the results of a scientific study adding to the body of research supporting the theory that a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity are genetically based. However, laws should protect all Americans equally, regardless of the genetic basis for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, says HRC.
The University of California School of Medicine study, published in the October Molecular Brain Research, identified 54 genes in mice that may explain why male and female brains look and function differently. Since the 1970s, scientists have believed that estrogen and testosterone were wholly responsible for the development of male and female genders. Recent evidence indicates that hormones cannot explain everything about the sexual differences .
‘Our research implies that genes account for some of the differences between male and female brains,’ said Eric Vilain, a genetics professor at UCLA who was the principle investigator of the study. ‘We believe that one’s genes, hormones and environment exert a combined influence on sexual brain development.’ In explaining sexual orientation Vilain opined, ‘It’s quite possible that sexual identity and physical attraction is ‘hard-wired’ by the brain. If we accept this concept, we must dismiss the myth that homosexuality is a ‘choice’ …’