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Are people born gay? Are people born gay?
Yes, people are born gay Yes, people are born gay
No, people are not born gay No, people are not born gay
We don't know if people are born gay We don't know if people are born gay
It doesn't matter if people are born gay It doesn't matter if people are born gay
Xq28 is the gay gene Xq28 is the gay gene
Epigenetics confirm people are born gay Epigenetics confirm people are born gay
Homosexuality is a genetic trait that runs throughout generations Homosexuality is a genetic trait that runs throughout generations
Gay and straight people show neurological differences Gay and straight people show neurological differences
The fraternal birth effect shows people are born gay The fraternal birth effect shows people are born gay
We can't choose our sexual orientation because it's genetically inherent We can't choose our sexual orientation because it's genetically inherent
Gay people have fewer offspring because of the genetics they pass on Gay people have fewer offspring because of the genetics they pass on
Sexual orientation is not a binary outcome Sexual orientation is not a binary outcome
Identical twins can have different sexual orientations due to environment Identical twins can have different sexual orientations due to environment
Same-sex attraction is a mental illness that needs professional treatment Same-sex attraction is a mental illness that needs professional treatment
The word is still out on genetics and homosexuality The word is still out on genetics and homosexuality
People can't be born "gay" if the word itself is fluid. People can't be born "gay" if the word itself is fluid.
We are better off not knowing We are better off not knowing
You shouldn't get to define someone else’s homosexuality You shouldn't get to define someone else’s homosexuality
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Are people born gay?
Back to question

No, people are not born gay

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Sexual orientation is not a binary outcome

Only things with binary outcomes can be reduced to genetics. Sexual orientation is not binary, it is fluid.
LGBTQ
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Context

With binary outcomes, it is possible to say with certainty that a foetus, if brought to term, will be born with a gene that will affect its development or behaviour. With non-binary outcomes, it is not possible. Sexual orientation is not a binary outcome and is therefore not something that is dictated before birth.

The Argument

Medical professionals can test the genetics of two embryos and tell expectant parents with 100% certainty that their babies will be identical twins. Being a twin is a binary outcome. However, when it comes to testing for qualities without a binary answer, things become more difficult. For example, we cannot test the genetics of a child and immediately determine how tall that child will be. Height is a non-binary outcome and depends on the interaction of different genes, childhood nutrition, illness, and environmental impacts. Same-sex attraction is not a binary outcome. Homosexuality is a sliding scale and is, like someone’s height, not something predetermined before we are born.

Counter arguments

Premises

[P1] Only binary outcomes are predetermined before birth. [P2] Sexual orientation is not a binary outcome. [P3] Therefore, people are not born gay.

Rejecting the premises

References

This page was last edited on Monday, 14 Sep 2020 at 12:13 UTC

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