Discuss the Role of Genes and the Environment in Determining

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The Answer is The answers should include the following information: (1) Despite the fact that around half of the American population views homosexuality as immoral, homosexuality is not a simple choice. Homosexual males often report that they "always" have been sexually attracted to members of the same sex. Indeed, there is a large genetic component to homosexuality. Gay men and lesbians tend to have a larger proportion of homosexual siblings than heterosexuals. Moreover, the identical twin of a gay man has a 50 percent chance of being gay. This percentage decreases to 15 percent among fraternal twins; (2) While genetic factors play a large role in determining sexual orientation, they are not the only factors. If genetic factors solely determined sexual orientation, then identical twins always would have the same sexual orientation, and clearly they do not. One early environmental factor that contributes to sexual orientation is exposure to male androgens in the womb. Prenatal exposure to higher levels of androgens is associated with sexual attraction to women in both males and females; (3) The specific environmental factors that contribute to sexual orientation are largely unknown. However, research has ruled out a number of factors that were once thought to contribute to homosexuality. Parenting style (e.g., a domineering mother and a submissive father) is not related to homosexuality. Being raised by homosexual parents does not make it more likely that a child will become homosexual. Finally, early sexual experiences (e.g., experimentation with a same-sex partner) do not have a lasting impact on sexual orientation.

Discuss the Role of Genes and the Environment in Determining

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