Xref: utzoo sci.bio:3385 sci.med:18943 sci.psychology:3104 soc.motss:33396
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnewsl!sfm
From: sfm@cbnewsl.att.com (stephen.frank.mershon)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.med,sci.psychology,soc.motss
Subject: Re: The persistance of homosexuality in a gene pool
Summary: The experts say ...
Message-ID: <1990Aug1.040838.17217@cbnewsl.att.com>
Date: 1 Aug 90 04:08:38 GMT
References: <32214@cup.portal.com> <1619@oravax.UUCP> <8250@pitt.UUCP> <1990Jul31.012219.3299@ariel.unm.edu>
Followup-To: sci.psychology
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Summit, NJ
Lines: 29

In article <1990Jul31.012219.3299@ariel.unm.edu>, mwfolsom@hydra.unm.edu (Mike Folsom) writes:
> 
>   [various speculation on possible factors in sexual orientation]

Much research has been done in this field.  If you are interested in
knowing what the experts say, send $1 and a large, self-addressed,
stamped envelope to PFLAG, P.O. Box 20308, Denver, CO 80220.  Ask for
the pamphlet "Why Is My Child Gay?".  This pamphlet summarizes the
views of 11 leading scientists and provides a reading list referencing
nine major published studies on the subject.

To summarize a few of the findings:

	- the exact causes of a particular orientation are unknown

	- orientation is likely the result of interaction of genetic,
		hormonal, and environmental factors

	- psychological and social influences alone cannot cause a particular
		orientation

	- a biological predisposition toward a particular orientation is
		present at birth in all people

	- orientation cannot be changed permanently through therapy


Steve Mershon
stephen.mershon@att.com