Normal vs. Abnormal

[Lydia]

"Genetics 101"

Hi all,

There are some basic facts about genetics that most people do not understand. We talk glibly about “genes”, and a “gene” for one characteristic or another. This is a concept that has been obliterated now for at least 75 years. We used to think of genes as being controlling units arranged on chromosomes like beads on a string. Since the unraveling of the DNA molecule and its coding system, we now know that the situation is far more complex.

Portions of the DNA molecules affect the synthesis and operation of other chemicals in the cell, primarily proteins (enzymes) that assist in the myriad of chemical changes that constantly go on in the cellular protoplasm. The interactions between the DNA and other cellular materials, especially the mitochondrial (maternal) components are constant and complex. In short any outward characteristic of the complete organism, whether it be something simple like blue vs. brown eye color or behavioral feature is affected by many pieces of DNA, and the function of any given DNA fragment affects many different features of the organism. What adds to the complexity is the fact that at different stages of development, these interactions are affected by external events. The same DNA fragments can have new functions at various times. It is almost like the organism being totally different at different stages in its development.

The notion of any characteristic being “innate” or “genetically determined” is impossible. In actuality no feature of the organism is without some genetic control, nor is any feature developed without some environmental effect.

Now to the “gay gene.” I agree with Danielle that there is no such thing, but for different reasons. There is good evidence now (see article in Discover magazine) that certain segments of the X-chromosome, when present, will increase the probability that the individual will be gay - but if certain events during development take place. What are these events ? Well, we are not sure - maybe maternal hormone changes? Maybe something else. In other words, there is a clear genetic component to being gay, but that is far from the entire picture.

Being gay or straight is sometimes not easy to determine, but is generally evident from behavior. These days, with homosexuality becoming more publically acceptable, it is more readily discussed and admitted. Behavioral data, based on interviews, is becoming readily available.

However, this is not at all true of crossdressing, which runs the gamut from a guy who occasionally wears panties to a full-time CD. The inclusion of the transsexual, who wants to become a female, brings the condition to a new level of complexity. Public acceptance of CD or TS is still minimal, and the size of the CD population is just a matter of guesswork. Behavioral data, based on interviews and other sources, is truly miniscule. Any theorizing on the causes of CD behavior amounts to drawing confusions from insufficient evidence.

For my part, as I have said elsewhere, I have ceased to try to explain it. I just enjoy it.

Hugs

Lydia

[Danielle La Belle]

Hi Virginia:

Well, I guess I am guilty of not putting some of those cute little emoticons on my last post.

I think that perhaps I need to go back a step.

I have always said that when I post here, it is not about me trying to be right. For me, there is only opinion. I expressed an opinion. “There is no gay gene.” For that mater, there is no “heterosexual” gene either. We are a complex algorithm that has several variables assigned to the mixture. These variables, i.e., x, y, z, etc, alter the outcome of the human algorithm and we arrive in this world with an internal and mental structure reflecting this. Eye color, hair color, ethnicity, a complex personality that is evolving over our lifetime just to suggest a few components that are obvious.

I cannot accept the overly simplistic notion that there is a single gene that handles our sexuality. There are entirely too many variables that we know of. Couple that with what we have learned the past 100 years or so and presto, Danielle’s opinion.

I think that the forum, like any other collection of individuals moves on at it’s own pace. Thank you for the kind words.

Virginia, is Virginia. Whatever your personal experiences might be, they are yours. You have never demonstrated anything to me but courtesy and common sense. Your “alarm clock” may be wound a little tight sometimes, but that is your intense interest that makes you so likeable and interesting. I am sure that “Silver Lady (SO),” would agree with this.

Argument vs. debate. I like to debate the issues. To see what is lurking beneath the surface of human kind. Some find a darkness of sorts, others, find a maturing input, an understanding evolving over time. Some remain 17 years old forever. Others, progressively change over time. No matter at what speed they evolve in their understanding of their surroundings, they evolve to our betterment.

Hugs

Danielle Marie


00ps! One more for good luck.... !

[Danielle La Belle]

Main Entry:gene
Pronunciation:*j*n
Function:noun
Etymology:German Gen, short for Pangen, from pan- + -gen
Date:1911

: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material
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Main Entry:chro£mo£some
Pronunciation:*kr*-m*-*s*m, -*z*m
Function:noun
Etymology:International Scientific Vocabulary
Date:1889

: any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usually ring-shaped in prokaryotes (as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism; also : the genetic material of a virus — compare CHROMATIN
–chro£mo£som£al \*kr*-m*-*s*-m*l, -*z*-\ adjective
–chro£mo£som£al£ly \-m*-l*\ adverb

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Main Entry:RNA
Pronunciation:**r-(*)en-**
Function:noun
Etymology:ribonucleic acid
Date:1948

: any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities — compare MESSENGER RNA, RIBOSOMAL RNA, TRANSFER RNA

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Main Entry:DNA
Pronunciation:*d*-*en-**
Function:noun
Etymology:deoxyribonucleic acid
Date:1944

: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei — compare RECOMBINANT DNA

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Hugs

Danielle Marie