On the one hand, it does further the idea that homosexual folk are built that way, rather than choosing to be. On the other hand, it does further the idea that homosexual folk can be prevented.
From BBCNews:
Womb environment ‘makes men gay’
A man’s sexual orientation may be determined by conditions in the womb, according to a study.
Previous research had revealed the more older brothers a boy has, the more likely he is to be gay, but the reason for this phenomenon was unknown.
But a Canadian study has shown that the effect is most likely down to biological rather than social factors.
The research is published in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Professor Anthony Bogaert from Brock University in Ontario, Canada, studied 944 heterosexual and homosexual men with either “biological” brothers, in this case those who share the same mother, or “non-biological” brothers, that is, adopted, step or half siblings.
He found the link between the number of older brothers and homosexuality only existed when the siblings shared the same mother.
The amount of time the individual spent being raised with older brothers did not affect their sexual orientation.
(snip)
He suggests the effect is probably the result of a “maternal memory” in the womb for male births.
A woman’s body may see a male foetus as “foreign”, he says, prompting an immune reaction which may grow progressively stronger with each male child.
The antibodies created may affect the developing male brain.
(snip)
Andy Forrest, a spokesman for gay rights group Stonewall, said: “Increasingly, credible evidence appears to indicate that being gay is genetically determined rather than being a so-called lifestyle choice.
“It adds further weight to the argument that lesbian and gay people should be treated equally in society and not discriminated against for something that’s just as inherent as skin colour.”
Now, what if you were the 5th or so brother in a large family? They are going to be scrutinized to the nth degree.
You OK? Haven’t seen you around my place lately, and now no posting here for few days. Not like you… Concerned…