The Link Between Genes and Traits

 A majority of the world’s population believes that one being gay is a choice; but is often highly looked down upon due to religious and political views. However, there has been scientific research and evidence towards a possible correlation of a “gay gene” in males to their sexual orientation. When this topic was brought up in class during Friday’s (4/4) discussion, it highly interested me.  It raises the question once again about those who can afford a choice in genetic make up to “enhance” humans (based on one’s preference and viewpoint of what enhanced is), who has control over this research and what that line is to cross or not when it comes to nanotechnology and scientific research.

There is the first debate of if one was to choose what genes or not to “choose” which would “enhance” them based on desired traits. However, if genes are then chosen, one would not be unique but a creation of said “perfection” with the most “desired” traits. From the same perspective, if there is also a link to genetic makeup and autism, would one choose to remove/change that gene so that their child would not have autism? All of these traits would also be based on one’s personal preference which would vary, but still create controversy in changing who someone is. There is then also the debate of who has control over this research. Who then regulates what can be done with the Xq28 gene that was found to be possibly linked with gay men who share this genetic signature and genes linked to other traits? The general public must be informed, debate and choose how research and scientific findings of this sort must be handled based on the possible future impact of society and ones rights. In addition, is this a line that was crossed in research? If someone was to view being gay as negative or positive, could they choose to remove or add that gene? All of these questions bring up large controversies in nanobiotechnology that affects the future of humanity and requires large debate, research and regulation to maintain each human’s basic rights. 

**This is a tough topic to write about, which is why I chose to include so many air quotes (“”) as a way of implying what could be one’s personal viewpoint of preference, not to mean these would be universal or even majority. This is a sensitive topic I do not want to offend anyone, but am trying to write and respond as a neutral viewpoint in a response to these issues that I find interesting in regards to scientific research with a large social impact.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10637532/Being-homosexual-is-only-partly-due-to-gay-gene-research-finds.html