Homosexuality an answer to overpopulation?

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So, any creationists/alarmists have opinions to render regarding potential genome damage posed by genetically engineered corn being grown around Iowa City?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------NEWS FLASH!Dateline Ioway City Register:The pilot of a crop duster reported a crop circle in the middle of a corn field in Lilith County, Ioway, early this morning. UFOlogists examining pictures of the phenomenum claim a binary code is imprinted into the design which reads "consumption of genetically engineered grain may cause birth defects, transgender manifestations, and sterilization in human populations." The owner of the field, Monty Santo, a parttime Pentacostal clergyman and recent recipient of a county fair blue ribbon for his corn dodger recipe, contacted this morning while rounding up rattlesnakes at the site said, "I think the crop circle is a divine message ..." The rest of Rev. Santo's reply could not be interpreted by this reporter as it was delivered in an unknown tongue.

DBlevins writes:

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If homosexuality is say...some, genetic alteration, due to overpopulation pressures, would we necessarily see it everywhere there is overpopulation?

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That would depend upon the specific etiology of sexual orientation.That is, are the genes directly or indirectly responsible for the multiple expressions of sexual orientation? Is it something where if you have genes X, Y, and Z, then your straight? Or is it a question of the genes the fetus has compared to the mother? Or do hormones during pregnancy have an effect? All of these are traced back to genetics, but each has a different amount of control on the actual outcome.If stress results in activation of certain genes that result in gay offspring, then we would expect to see increases in gay members of the population where there is overpopulation. But if it's more a direct cause, then we wouldn't.------------------
Rrhain
WWJD? JWRTFM!

Rrhain essentially beat me to the punch. But there is also another way of thinking about this issue. If a gay gene were likely to occur (not just be activated) because of environmental stresses, then wouldn't it more likely have started in one of those more overpopulated communities.I realize there would be no guarantee of it starting there, but if environment was most important you'd think it would be seen in one of those first. They've been overcrowded for much much much longer than any western country.Frankly though I don't think the activation of a latent gene is more likely if we are talking about stresses causing something.------------------
holmes

If you are looking for a donor! Special rates just for you.Brian

laf, that's.... kind of scary, really. Especially with that avatar that you have repeatedly yelling at the screen ------------------
"Illuminant light,
illuminate me."[This message has been edited by Rei, 12-18-2003]

Oh c'mon I'll bet that avatar looked really cute as a baby.------------------
holmes

I guess even a Scotsman in a kilt wouldn't help in this instance, huh?

I am gay.I tend to think that, homosexuality is part of Mother Nature's economy.
I have read somewhere that births born after the first two are more likely to become homosexual. This might imply hormonal differences caused by excessive births. I also tend to believe that it might have to do with the mothers nervous, biological and hormomal reaction to being in a crowded area - in which food competition has some importance; this could possibly be a mechanism of nature.
I also have Attention Deficit Disorder, am left handed, was born pre-mature, and was born 4th. I am also half white and half Mexican, so it may have something to do with the gene-pool.[This message has been edited by NathanC, 01-12-2004]

Or is just good old-fashioned self-control an answer to overpopulation? How about sterilization? Gosh, there seems to be all kinds of answers to overpopulation. Even birth control devices seem likely to be an answer. But homosexuality as a natural birth control device seems a stretch as it has been around since the dawn of time.

"I even have a personal theory that the increase in homosexuality among the human population is a natural reaction to the overpopulation of the planet. In other words, the species is producing more individuals who are less likely to actually produce their own offspring thereby decelerating the population growth."Mmm, interesting. My counter points would be:1) In support of Rrhain I would say that mass media contributes greatly to the feeling that there is "an increase in homosexuality".
2) This idea of a higher percentage being located in "overpopulated" areas I would say is due more to individuals moving there from rural locations (less tolerant/social ostrification) than an actual increase in the number of individuals born to women who live in "overpopulated" areas and subsequently identify themselves as gay.
3) In addition, I would include the fact that despite an individual having feelings for another of the same sex (oversimplification) there is still alot of pressure from society/religion, etc that in the absence of support (found in these "overpopulated" areas) for the teenagers developing sense of what he/she wants results in a child being born.Anyway, this is speculation couched in experience. And reflects a U.S. bias.