Recently this new research came out, that homosexuality may be because of genes. Experiment on fire-flys showed that when scientists changed a gene, the firefly was attracted towards fireflies of same sex, giving rise to the theory, that homosexuals may have different kind of genes which attract them towards people of same sex.
So, the discussion amongst some friends was that if homosexuality is due to genes then why did Qaum-e-Lut was punished by Allah, as explained in the Quran?
One argument presented was that for gays, homosexuality may be out of their control and they have no control over their feelings, so naturally they should should not be punished.
The counter-argument was that, #1 its not conclusive if homosexuality in human beings is due to genes, and it may just be an acquired deviant behavior (i.e. bad and biased research to justify a deviant behavior). And #2, even if someone’s genes make that person do deviant behavior (homosexuality, in this case), the person could still be punished in the hereafter for the misdeeds. For example, if some research claims that murderers have a genetic problem which makes them kill people, they will still be punished for acting upon such impulses. So, same is true for homosexuals.
^ I think God got tired of saying the same thing over and over and over again to mankind.
The counter-argument was that, #1 its not conclusive if homosexuality in human beings is due to genes, and it may just be an acquired deviant behavior (i.e. bad and biased research to justify a deviant behavior).
You’d be surprised how much research out there is bad and biased.
Since they’ve found the gene in the fruitfly, all they need to do is find a homolog. Take’s a summer-long amount of work and some bioinformatics. :k:
With the databases all in a mess, I’d give it roughly 6 months. If there is a gene in humans, we’ll know about it at the most in 1 year. If not, then there is no gene, or there are morons working on these projects, or the labs are just leeching federal money.
pcg, are you sure you are a bio major? a fruitfly has all of four chromosomes, and is a frikkin arthropod. you are proposing finding a homologous gene on the human genome in one summer.. can i say IDIOCY..
Mankind has procreational instinct and this instinct needs to be satisified when you give makind free reign and let him satisfy this instinct by any means you will end up with people going after same sex, animals and even children.
with today's bioinformatics databases, which have been developing over the past 2 years, I would say yes, its totally possible.
They have specialized tools already where you can match up homologs - of course, it still takes a great deal of brainwork, and pouring over sequences. pukes
Okay I can understand the differnet genes making you attracted to someone of hte same sex but do they also include the cultural/lingual/physical appearance differences in homosexuals? Do these genes turn the men into effeminate lil crybabies and women into ugly men who hate men? Yes, I'm operating on stereotypes here, but you know stereotypes exist for a reason.
Sara516: That is one major reason that I seriously doubt scientists will ever find one determinant gene or even a group of determinant genes in charge of homosexual behavior. Human behavior is indeed made up by genetics, but only a small portion of it. The rest is environment. Environment can cause a great deal of variability. Also personal willpower.
AQ: Another reason why I doubt scientists will ever find one determinant gene. Plus, the bioinformatics databases are way too cluttered Poor postdocs.
even assuming this were to be true, how justifiable is punishment on such a person?
as far as naming a few - hinduism, both ancient greek and roman religions, unitarian universalists accept homosexuality. buddhism, jainism, taoism, zoroastrianism, sikhism, and much of the animist religions do not punish homosexuals.
Poor postdocs.