Abstract
In the current chapter, I will attempt to examine the genetic basis of same-sex attraction that is, whether individuals will develop same-sex attractions partially depends on their genetic makeup. I will review evidence from family and twin studies, which makes a strong case that same-sex attraction has a genetic component. This conclusion is also corroborated by evidence from gender reassignment studies in which children are raised in a different to their genetic sex. In particular, several case studies indicate that the attractions these children experienced as adults were consistent with their genetic and not with their ascribed sex, suggesting that sexual orientation has a strong genetic basis. I will move on to examine evidence from molecular genetic studies, which attempt to find specific genes predisposing for same-sex attractions. These studies have identified some possible candidates, but the connections of these candidates with the development of same-sex attractions has not been clearly established.
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Apostolou, M. (2020). The Genetic Basis of Same-Sex Attraction. In: The Evolution of Same-Sex Attraction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53925-2_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53925-2_2
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