Thanks for your comment! I also think there is likely a significant epigenetic aspect to sexual orientation, which speaks to your "nature AND nurture" point. There are also considerations for the various ways in which estrogens are floating around, such as that entering the water from birth control (and not filtered out because it's a ne…
Thanks for your comment! I also think there is likely a significant epigenetic aspect to sexual orientation, which speaks to your "nature AND nurture" point. There are also considerations for the various ways in which estrogens are floating around, such as that entering the water from birth control (and not filtered out because it's a newly recognized issue) or microplastics somehow getting everywhere. I would be surprised if increased estrogen (and the concomitant drops in testosterone) didn't have an effect on the prevalence of varying gender identities and sexual orientations, especially prior to the completion of puberty given the incredibly plasticity of the brain in that time range.
Also I'm not sure to what degree GSM (gender/sexual minorities) genotypes are imploding seeing as they likely arise through the interactions of multiple genes in addition to the environment. There could be plenty of people who carry a large share of these genes but who still have a normal (yes, normal) phenotype and end up reproducing at a rate similar to any other person. And then there are those like me who are very much gay and intend to have lots of kids...
Yes, epigenetics! There is a false binary between “genetic” and “environmental”. Through chemicals, stress, weather, diet, and activity, and habit, different genes can be toggled off and on. So it doesn’t make sense to claim that something is either purely genetic or purely social recruitment.
Thanks for your comment! I also think there is likely a significant epigenetic aspect to sexual orientation, which speaks to your "nature AND nurture" point. There are also considerations for the various ways in which estrogens are floating around, such as that entering the water from birth control (and not filtered out because it's a newly recognized issue) or microplastics somehow getting everywhere. I would be surprised if increased estrogen (and the concomitant drops in testosterone) didn't have an effect on the prevalence of varying gender identities and sexual orientations, especially prior to the completion of puberty given the incredibly plasticity of the brain in that time range.
Also I'm not sure to what degree GSM (gender/sexual minorities) genotypes are imploding seeing as they likely arise through the interactions of multiple genes in addition to the environment. There could be plenty of people who carry a large share of these genes but who still have a normal (yes, normal) phenotype and end up reproducing at a rate similar to any other person. And then there are those like me who are very much gay and intend to have lots of kids...
Yes, epigenetics! There is a false binary between “genetic” and “environmental”. Through chemicals, stress, weather, diet, and activity, and habit, different genes can be toggled off and on. So it doesn’t make sense to claim that something is either purely genetic or purely social recruitment.