z46\doc\web\2000\11\gaygene.txt 16 November, 2000, 00:02 GMT 'Genetic
link' to sexual orientation There may be a genetic factor in sexual
orientation This "concordance" rate was 31.6% among the identical
twins, compared with 13.3% among non-identical twins of the same sex
and 8.3% for all non-identical twins. The researchers, writing in the
American Journal of Psychiatry, said that "genetic factors may
provide an important influence on sexual orientation". 


In a message dated 11/17/00 4:50:43 AM !!!First Boot!!!, rgleiser@tscnet.com 
writes: 


Sexual orientation is partly determined by family factors, which are to some 
extent genetic, according to a US survey. A random sample of almost 4,000 
people nationwide found that where one of a pair of identical twins was 
homosexual there was a one in three chance that the second twin would also be 
gay. Lead researcher Dr Kenneth Kendler from the Medical College of Virginia 
said: "By no means is sexual orientation genetically determined but clearly 
genes are playing some role by interacting with a range of environmental 
factors." Dr Kendler examined data from 50,000 households collected by the 
MacArthur Foundation Midlife Development which included 794 sets of twins and 
2,907 pairs of siblings. Overall, 2.8 per cent reported that they were either 
homosexual or bisexual. 


When people start looking at the causes of homosexuality... they are usually 
looking for a cure 




Sebastian Sandys, Stonewall 


Among the 324 pairs of identical twins, 19 pairs reported one 
non-heterosexual member, while six sets said both were bisexual or 
homosexual. This "concordance" rate was 31.6% among the identical twins, 
compared with 13.3% among non-identical twins of the same sex and 8.3% for 
all non-identical twins. The researchers, writing in the American Journal of 
Psychiatry, said that "genetic factors may provide an important influence on 
sexual orientation". 


The data seem not to differentiate between different dynamics of 
homosexuality,  Unless this is done, explanations will be unclarified. 
Robert John, MD. Psychiatrist.