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Study of gay brothers seeks possible genetic links
By Lindsey Tanner
Associated Press
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CHICAGO -- Julio and Mauricio Cabrera are gay brothers who are convinced their sexual orientation is as deeply rooted as their Mexican ancestry.

They are among 1,000 pairs of gay brothers taking part in the largest study to date seeking genes that may influence whether people are gay. The Cabreras hope the findings will help silence critics who say homosexuality is an immoral choice.

If fresh evidence is found suggesting genes are involved, perhaps homosexuality will be viewed as no different than other genetic traits like height and hair color, said Julio, a student at DePaul University in Chicago.

Adds his brother, "I think it would help a lot of folks understand us better."

The federally funded study, led by Chicago area researchers, will rely on blood or saliva samples to help scientists search for genetic clues to the origins of homosexuality. Parents and straight brothers also are being recruited.

While initial results aren't expected until next year - and won't provide a final answer - skeptics are already attacking the methods and disputing the presumed results.

Previous studies have shown that sexual orientation tends to cluster in families, though that doesn't prove genetics is involved. Extended families may share similar child-rearing practices, religion and other beliefs that could also influence sexual orientation.

Research involving identical twins, often used to study genetics since they share the same DNA, has had mixed results.

One widely cited study in the 1990s found that if one member of a pair of identical twins was gay, the other had a 52 percent chance of being gay. In contrast, the result for pairs of non-twin brothers, was 9 percent. A 2000 study of Australian identical twins found a much lower chance.

Dr. Alan Sanders of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute, the lead researcher of the new study, said he suspects there isn't one so-called "gay gene."

It is more likely there are several genes that interact with nongenetic factors, including psychological and social influences, to determine sexual orientation, said Sanders, a psychiatrist.

Still, he said, "If there's one gene that makes a sizable contribution, we have a pretty good chance" of finding it.

Many gays fear that if gay genes are identified, it could result in discrimination, prenatal testing and even abortions to eliminate homosexuals, said Joel Ginsberg of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

However, he added, "If we confirm that sexual orientation is an immutable characteristic, we are much more likely to get the courts to rule against discrimination."

There is less research on lesbians, Sanders said, although some studies suggest that male and female sexual orientation may have different genetic influences.

His new research is an attempt to duplicate and expand on a study published in 1993 involving 40 pairs of gay brothers. That hotly debated study, wrongly touted as locating "the gay gene," found that gay brothers shared genetic markers in a region on the X chromosome, which men inherit from their mothers.

That implies that any genes influencing sexual orientation lie somewhere in that region.

Previous attempts to duplicate those results failed. But Sanders said that with so many participants, his study has a better chance of finding the same markers and perhaps others on different chromosomes.

If these markers appear in gay brothers but not their straight brothers or parents, that would suggest a link to sexual orientation. The study is designed to find genetic markers, not to explain any genetic role in behavior.

And Sanders said even if he finds no evidence, that won't mean genetics play no role; it may simply mean that individual genes have a smaller effect.

Skeptics include Stanton Jones, a psychology professor and provost at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. An evangelical Christian, Jones last month announced results of a study he co-authored that says it's possible for gays to "convert" - changing their sexual orientation without harm.

Jones said his results suggest biology plays only a minor role in sexual orientation, and that researchers seeking genetic clues generally have a pro-gay agenda that will produce biased results.

Sanders disputed that criticism.

"We do not have a predetermined point we are trying to prove," he said. "We are trying to pry some of nature's secrets loose with respect to a fundamental human trait."

Jones acknowledged that he's not a neutral observer. His study involved 98 gays "seeking help" from Exodus International, a Christian group that believes homosexuals can become straight through prayer and counseling. Exodus International funded Jones' study.

The group's president, Alan Chambers, said he is a former homosexual who went straight and believes homosexuality is morally wrong.

Even if research ultimately shows that genetics play a bigger role, it "will never be something that forces people to behave in a certain way," Chambers said. "We all have the freedom to choose."

The Cabrera brothers grew up in Mexico in a culture where "being gay was an embarrassment," especially for their father, said Mauricio, 41, a car dealership employee from Olathe, Kan.

They had cousins who were gay, but Mauricio said he still felt he had to hide his sexual orientation and he struggled with his "double life." Julio said having an older brother who was gay made it easier for him to accept his sexuality.

Jim Larkin, 54, a gay journalist in Flint, Mich., said the genetics study is a move in the right direction.

Given the difficulties of being gay in a predominantly straight society, homosexuality "is not a choice someone would make in life," said Larkin, who is not a study participant.

He had two brothers who were gay. One died from AIDS; the other committed suicide. Larkin said he didn't come out until he was 26.

"I fought and I prayed and I went to Mass and I said the rosary," Larkin said. "I moved away from everybody I knew ... thinking maybe this will cause the feelings to subside. It doesn't."

On the Net:

Sanders' research: http://www.gaybros.com

Exodus International: http://www.exodus.to

Take a look
Julio Cabrera poses in a park near his home in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2007. Cabrera and his brother, Mauricio, from Olathe, Kan., are and are among 1,000 pairs of gay brothers nationwide who are donating blood or saliva to help scientists search for genetic clues about the origins of homosexuality. Both are convinced their sexual orientation is as deeply rooted as their Mexican heritage, and they hope new research will help silence critics who say homosexuality is an immoral choice. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
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Reader comments on this story - 32 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Test wrote on Oct 18, 2007 3:30 PM:

" It seems genetics would be a viable answer to a lot of questions "

Is There No End To This Sham? wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:00 PM:

" I am so sick of hearing about gay genes when it is a matter of choice. People who are trying to cram this down our throats are the flaming flamboyant ones who love to flaunt their perversions. The crime here is that our tax dollars are sponsoring these flamers. What a crock. "

Maybe wrote on Oct 16, 2007 4:47 PM:

" Maybe I have an Anti-gay gene. See its not my fault that I believe gays are immoral! It is in my genes! Thanks for proving that! "

bull wrote on Oct 16, 2007 1:16 PM:

" i always think it's funny when people say ' it's not a choice, we're born this way'. BULL ONEY!!!!!!! you act like it's a disease. spending money on studying it, treats it like it's cancer!! or something like that......and it's not. it IS a choice. there comes a time when you decide. people don't decide on 'getting cancer one day' "

Hey! wrote on Oct 16, 2007 12:34 PM:

" I'm sure people are commenting ... where are they? "

Doesn't seem like any type of win wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:47 AM:

" If you're religious you've been damned by God, if you're evolutionist, what in the world would genetic homosexuality gain you? Worker bee for life, maybe. "

This is wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:29 AM:

" All Bunk. It doesn't run in families; not in mine. Gay guys can't procreate, so they can't pass along the "gene." There's been just the same, or more, research done to prove that it's not genetic. But the media chooses not to promote those studies. "

Interesting wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:45 AM:

" If the biological component can be identified, we will be on our way to eliminating the behavior. No Law will stop it. The genie will be out of the bottle. "

What a bunch wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:45 AM:

" of bull!!! Being Gay is a choice not caused by genes!!! It is wrong any way you look at it!!!!! "

SRM wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:21 AM:

" the only thing that influences these brothers is their CHOICE, "

Curious wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:18 AM:

" It would seem to me that if there were a ‘gay’ gene that it would die out over the course of evolution since homosexuals would be generally apathetic about reproduction. It seems to be a trend, in country in particular, to use genetics as the universal excuse. If you’re fat it’s because of genetics. If you’re an alcoholic, it’s genetic. Now if you’re gay it’s genetic? If you ask me, they all have more to do with nurture, than nature. "

I CANNOT BELIEVE wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:31 AM:

" THERE ARE NO COMMENTS POSTED HERE! I GUESS EVERYONE IS HOLDING THEIR BREATH...IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IF ANY OF THE SUBJECTS IN THE STUDY WERE EXPOSED TO HOMOSEXUALS SUCH AS FRIENDS OR FAMILIES OF THE PARENTS. "

Let's get past personal hysterics and talk science wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:22 AM:

" Bailey's identical twin study in the 1990s (52 percent versus 9) presumes to show a strong case for genetics, but not really. Identical twins are often raised together in virtually the same way, and so it makes sense that they would have vast similarities in personal affect. Are there any studies that have focused on identical twins raised separately from each other, such as resulting from adoption? I know that this has been done in pyschology for many things. "

Let the posting begin wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:13 AM:

" The fundamental crazies are going to loooooooove this one! "

Area Resident wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:28 AM:

" This is not the only study that is being conducted on this matter. There has also been research done on animals that favor the "same-sex" interactions. Brain dissections revealed a correletaion with the size of certain structures and same-sex preference. But DNA technology evolves so quickly, it will be interesting to see the outcome of new research. Personally, I do believe that there is a strong genetic factor, as well as pyschological and social forces. Perhaps it is cocktail of varying degree per individual. Never-the-less, research will most likely come to a conclusion that "same-sex" preference is far from what most would consider to be a conscious choice. One day we will not be able to discriminate against people with "same-sex" preference any more than we would skin color or gender. "

I disagree wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:18 AM:

" that this study is worthwhile. I can empathise with those who feel it might possibly quiet those who claim being gay is an immoral choice, but the reality is no amount of results will silence those who disagree with homsexuality. The bottom line is this study is about as important as YOU make it. We've had studies to determine causes of everything from baldness to left-handedness and though it might be fascinating for some, the truth is- SO WHAT? How will studies and findings change your life- for the better or worse? I call it RUBBISH. But this is just the opinion of one gay Christian. "

Haha.. wrote on Oct 16, 2007 2:38 AM:

" The Pantagraph's web traffic must be down so they post this article to generate some page views & comments. The advertisers will be thrilled! People on both sides of the issue will act foolish. "

Oh no.....nooooooooooo!! wrote on Oct 15, 2007 11:07 PM:

" ..another story that's going to generate more than 100 posts of the same thing over and over and over!!!! Let it go, people...just let it go...um, if you're reading this at work, avert your eyes and go do something productive!!....here, I'll give you a topic....the rapidly declining honey bee population could be an environmental disaster in the making....discuss.... "

;-0 wrote on Oct 15, 2007 9:43 PM:

" Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sooooo Nasty. Do they love each other, or "really" love each other? "

FYI wrote on Oct 15, 2007 9:15 PM:

" BS! It's far more likely that these homerclusters are a result of them both being subjected to the same poor and immoral upbringing. "

Have wondered wrote on Oct 15, 2007 8:58 PM:

" for years why someone in America would " choose " to be gay. The scorn and ridicule that a person is subjected to would make most rational people NOT make that choice. Surely there is a very strong biological reason that one is gay. The quicker that science can prove this being so the better off we will be as a society. Of course we will always have the " religious right " who won'dt accept anything scientific if it runs contrary to their " bible thumping " beliefs. Global warming and evolution come to mind. "

Choice wrote on Oct 15, 2007 8:34 PM:

" It's a choice, not genetics. "

:| wrote on Oct 15, 2007 8:20 PM:

" Regardless on if the gay gene or not exists. We will still have crazy bible thumpers that say we will be codemn to hell. Amen. "

Their orientation wrote on Oct 15, 2007 8:02 PM:

" is a choice they made "

Dr. D. wrote on Oct 15, 2007 7:12 PM:

" And here we go. Let the weekly gay bashing begin. "

Big Man wrote on Oct 15, 2007 6:16 PM:

" I don't think it's genetics, I think it is more choice. "

Penny wrote on Oct 15, 2007 6:14 PM:

" Although the Bible clearly states that, among the groups that will not "inherit the Kingdom of God" are "men who lie with men," I know that I live in a time where I must give others the same freedom of choices that I expect. I would never get in anyone's face and shout my beliefs at them - whether the issue be homosexuality, abortion, or whatever. Do people who do that really think it's going to "turn people around"? How many of us are receptive when someone's yelling in our faces at protests? Regardless, we all walk around expecting our rights, our lifestyle choices, our beliefs to be respected and honored, but far too many of us do not hesitate to condemn those who aren't the "same" as we are. Whether we think it's right or wrong, Biblical or not, socially acceptable or abhorrent, we must practice tolerance. Far away, in a land covered with body parts, blood and the bodies of innocent children, hates thrives. Will it thrive here on our soil? The choice is ours... "

oh great... wrote on Oct 15, 2007 5:25 PM:

" Let the posting begin. People are gay. Deal with it. "

Wow wrote on Oct 15, 2007 5:19 PM:

" No gay bashing yet?? I'm really surprised. I figured several members of any church cult would have posted something by now. "

Bruce wrote on Oct 15, 2007 5:18 PM:

" As a gay male, I find this very interesting no matter how much of a bill of bunk that it is. I chose to be this way, I wasn't born this way. "

Harry wrote on Oct 15, 2007 5:11 PM:

" Lets have some more Hillary stories it beat this crap! "

O rly? wrote on Oct 15, 2007 4:54 PM:

" I for one don't believe anyone truly chooses to be a homosexual and I hope they find something or this at least leads to other discoveries. I've never heard anyone honestly say they chose what orientation they were. It's always something along the lines of "I realized". "
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