Homosexuality and Evolution
Dear Editor,
“Homosexuality is a choice because evolution would eliminate any homosexual genes.” This statement is a gross oversimplification of genetics and the evolutionary process. If this statement were true, then other genetic conditions, like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease, that are lethal before puberty would have long disappeared from the human population. Any gene that leads to a lack of reproduction “hides out” in the population in individuals that are carriers for that for of the gene. The parents of a child with CF don’t have CF, but each carry one copy of the gene responsible for the condition. These genetic conditions persist today; they existed hundreds of years ago, and will continue to exist for hundreds more. Keep in mind that I’m not calling homosexuality a disease, but the same concept would easily apply to a gene for homosexuality.Another fallacy of the argument that homosexuality would be bred out of the human population is the assumption that homosexual men and women don’t have children. Plenty of people in this world get married and have children, all the while struggling through a heterosexual lifestyle to hide their homosexual identity. They may not embrace their homosexuality until in their 30’s or 40’s or even later. The gene for homosexuality would be passed to at least some of their children, who in turn could grow up and be gay or be straight while carrying one copy of the gene for homosexuality. Even the above arguments are an oversimplification about what we already know about genetics and evolution, but I’m not going to summarize a genetics textbook to further my point. If science is the rationale for arguing about homosexuality as a choice, please use good science and not half-truths or incomplete logic.For those of you that are still absolutely convinced that sexuality is a choice, ask yourself this question. How old were you when you decided to be straight? Five? Eleven? Fourteen? Older? I can’t remember and neither can my wife, friends, family, etc. I think we can’t remember, because we never chose.
Erik Pilgrim302626330792-4580 Home797-1169 Lab