For this week discussion, I chose to talk and research about if homosexuality is caused by a defective gene. To start of I would like say that I personally think it’s someone’s personal preference when it comes to sexuality. I also think people are born gay it’s just who they are and it is part of their personality. I myself don’t think there is any genetic or heredity nor necessarily a defective gene, but it is believed to be gay gene. However, no major gene for homosexuality has been found despite numerous studies searching for a genetic connection. It was also believed that homosexuality was a mental health illness. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association stopped labeling homosexuality as a mental health illness (Corey et al, p.124).

According to researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, they found a clue known as epigenetics. This clue can possible tell whether a man was gay or straight by monitoring small changes in how his DNA functions after birth and this is known as epigenetics (Rice et al. 2012).
There is several biological theories such as the hormonal and the epigenetic theories (Rice et al. 2012). In 2012, a new theory has introduced that combines aspects of the genetic theory with the hormonal theory (Rice et al. 2012). This is known as the epigenetic theory, this theory draws on research that will reinforce the hormonal theory as well know as the functions of epi-marks (Rice et al. 2012). This model would explain homosexuality on the basis of the epi- mark managed by the prenatal testosterone levels (Rice et al.2012).There is some arguments that epigenetic marks can be passed on between generations(Rice et al.2012).

Overall, only further research will determine whether or not this theory will join the previous theories. The new research by the University of California has not yet been published but it is being presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics in Baltimore. I believe that there is a lot of controversy since this theory came out to the public. I myself don’t agree with the epigenetic theory as I mentioned in the beginning of my discussion.

Corey, G., Corey, M. S., Corey, C., & Callanan, P. (2011). Introduction to professional ethics. Issues and ethics in the helping professions. (9th ed., pp.124). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.