by Michael Skinner

Created on: November 10, 2009   Last Updated: August 14, 2010

Is homosexuality genetically based?  In the Western world, except for the rigidly orthodox, this concept does not present a problem. However, what if someone was to assert that serial killers, pyromaniacs, and child molesters were are also genetically destined to perform their behaviors?  One of the reasons why some argue that homosexuality is genetically based is to further assert that Gay people do not have a choice in what they are and that their behavior is normal and natural. Again in the Western world, many if not most of us have no problem with those concepts with respect to Gay people but we are not prepared to extend that concept to behaviors which we regard as undesirable and even illegal.

We are then forced to conclude that the mere fact of genetic disposition may be   necessary but is not sufficient to draw exhaustive conclusions about human behavior. There has to be some choice in the matter or we could never punish those break our laws or even protect ourselves from them.

One of the landmark studies in behavioral genetics involves stories about twins who were separated at birth. Some studies have found that even though the twins have different upbringing that their tested intelligence turns out to be the same. If intelligence were largely mediated by environment, it is argued, then surely the IQ of the twins would be different if they were raised differently.

To my knowledge, twin studies are largely populated with twins who remain in the same culture and even at or near the same social economic status. I have never heard of a twin study wherein one twin became the son of a garbage heap dweller in Egypt and the other became the son of an oil sheik in Dubai. So in my view environmental influences have not really been removed.

Moreover, you get class and stratification problems if you take genetics as the sole determinant of a person's destiny. It is just a matter of time before some corporate government uses behavioral genetics to decide whether or not you may pursue the life and lifestyle you seek. They will tell you-for your own good of course-that your genetic profile reveals that you are not smart enough to become a rocket scientist and you are not athletic enough to become a sports star. Your genes are those of a person who mops out toilet stalls. Welcome to a Brave New World. Here's your mop and toilet.  Go get them!

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