Do Prenatal Factors Create Lesbian Babies?

[Etoile]

Well now, this is an interesting piece of news! According to this article in the UK's Sunday Times, when pregnant women take a thyroid medication called thyroxine the chances increase that their daughter will be a lesbian. Certain diet pills - those based on amphetamines - cause a similar effect. This research was from Minot State University, located in North Dakota.

This study sounds awfully farfetched to me. The debate has been going on for decades as to what causes homosexuality, whether it's biological or caused by environmental factors. I don't expect these results are going to change much about that debate.

 

[Talulahred]

Yeah, and where did all the lesbians come from before those pills were available to be taken?

Studies like that crack me up.

 

[Regis2001]

Just to be sure, I say we require more pregnant women to take these pills. Eventually the straight people will be outnumbered, and then we can launch the coup!

Viva la Revolution!

 

[kalalau]

Re: Prenatal Factors Create Lesbian Babies?

Well now, this is an interesting piece of news! According to this article in the UK's Sunday Times, when pregnant women take a thyroid medication called thyroxine the chances increase that their daughter will be a lesbian. Certain diet pills - those based on amphetamines - cause a similar effect. This research was from Minot State University, located in North Dakota.

This study sounds awfully farfetched to me. The debate has been going on for decades as to what causes homosexuality, whether it's biological or caused by environmental factors. I don't expect these results are going to change much about that debate.

I can always count on you, Etoile, for a thoughtful post. I read the article and sense that the study is likely flawed. Without the study in hand, however, I really can't comment.

I feel very, very strongly, however, that sexuality is genetically determined, and that ALL variations of sexuality are COMPLETELY NORMAL and natural and always have been.

That's why we should all be happy with who we are!

 

[John Doe]

Yeah, and where did all the lesbians come from before those pills were available to be taken?

Studies like that crack me up.

Nothing in the article indicated the study found that this thyroid medication (or some amphetimines) caused all lesbianism, nor did it say that all daughters of those patients will be lesbians. It said it increases the chances.

Which leads me to what I was going to say anyway. The reason the debate Etoile mentions has been raging on is because it's really just another form of the old Nature vs. Nurture debate.

I believe the problem with that debate is it's logically impossible to say that it's all one way or another. I think the effect environmental and genetic factors have varies from group to group, family to family and even individual to individual.

The results show sexual orientation is affected by prenatal rather than social factors, with mothers of homosexual girls proving eight times more likely to have taken those pills —

This part of the article is misleading. The results as presented in the article only show that sexual orientation can be affected by certain prescription drugs.

I will agree though, with Professor Dorman (in the article) that it's a very interesting finding that merits further study.

 

[ExistentialLuv]

Re: Prenatal Factors Create Lesbian Babies?

Well now, this is an interesting piece of news! According to this article in the UK's Sunday Times, when pregnant women take a thyroid medication called thyroxine the chances increase that their daughter will be a lesbian. Certain diet pills - those based on amphetamines - cause a similar effect. This research was from Minot State University, located in North Dakota.

This study sounds awfully farfetched to me. The debate has been going on for decades as to what causes homosexuality, whether it's biological or caused by environmental factors. I don't expect these results are going to change much about that debate.

I am so resisting the ND jokes.

The research is interesting but most definatly flawed. I am having a hard time even believing they were able to find very many homosexual students to participate in this state.

 

[sexy-girl]

i read this also ... i thought it was pretty interesting ... it's just another piece of evidence that highlights that homosexulity isn't a choice and in fact is biological

theres been studies to show that brain chemistry is actually different in homosexual men compared to heterosexuals ... so in my opinion the biological case is very strong ... if its genetic or not is another debate

 

[John Doe]

So what if it's a choice in some cases? What's wrong with that? I feel that by insisting it's only one way or the other and concentrating on evidence to the exclusion of anything contrary is nearly as intolerant as outright homophobia.

Some will say they're born that way. I see nothing wrong with that. Others assert they chose to be so. I don't see the problem with that either. However, when people insist that it is only one way and speak as though any other possibility is somehow a threat to the cause, then IMO they're being unreasonable and celf-centered, especially in the cases where it seems thier opinion is based on only thier personal experiences.

 

[sexy-girl]

So what if it's a choice in some cases? What's wrong with that? I feel that by insisting it's only one way or the other and concentrating on evidence to the exclusion of anything contrary is nearly as intolerant as outright homophobia.

Some will say they're born that way. I see nothing wrong with that. Others assert they chose to be so. I don't see the problem with that either. However, when people insist that it is only one way and speak as though any other possibility is somehow a threat to the cause, then IMO they're being unreasonable and celf-centered, especially in the cases where it seems thier opinion is based on only thier personal experiences.

i don't see sexuality as a black and white thing anyway ... but the basic principle of what we're attracted too does seem to have a biological root i do find it hard to understand how people can deny that ... how much importance things like choice and environment have on top of that is up for debate in my opinion

and anyway if sexuality isn't strictly black and white who's to say the importance of choice and environment isn't also different for each person

i think you'd find though that 95% of people would say what attracts them or turns them on isn't a choice for them ... it's something they can either deny or accept and that's very different from choice

 

[Regis2001]

So what if it's a choice in some cases? What's wrong with that?

Here, here!

I have to say, what does it matter if one is born gay, chooses to be gay or can become gay due to various factors? It doesn't matter a bit to me. I am bisexual, and I definitely remember a time when boys weren't that interesting. When I realised I was bisexual, what caused it? Was I born that way, and was only just realising it? Was I making a choice, consciously or not, based on my circumstances? I knew plenty of nice boys, and not a lot of nice girls after all. Or maybe it was my upbringing that made me bi? Homosexuality was never stigmatised - we even had a close friend of the family that was gay, and started a long-term relationship when I was very young which continues to this day. Well? Can anyone tell me why I happen to find other men attractive?

Didn't think so.

The point is, it doesn't matter why you are gay/bisexual. All that matters is that you are. Why does it need to be explained? I don't need to explain why I like computer games, heavy metal or shields. I just do. And why do I like men? I just do.

Have a nice day!