Mycroft
Ministry of Serendipity
Okay, so. What causes them damn gays to be so gay!? That is the question.
Good question!
The current and most favoured theory under investigation is due to epigenetics.
What is epigenetics?
Good question!
The term epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that does not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence; a change in phenotype without a change in genotype. Epigenetic change is a regular and natural occurrence but can also be influenced by several factors including age, the environment/lifestyle, and disease state.
Basically: Epigenetic mechanisms can be seen as an added layer of information that clings to our DNA. Epi-marks regulate the expression of genes according to the strength of external cues. Genes are basically the instruction book, while epi-marks direct how those instructions get carried out. For example, they can determine when, where, and how much of a gene gets expressed.
Okay, so what does that have to do with them damn gays!?
Good question!
Sex-specific epi-marks which, unlike most genetic switches, get passed down from father to daughter or mother to son. Most epi-marks don't normally pass between generations and are essentially "erased." Epi-marks are usually produced from scratch with each generation — but new evidence is showing that they can sometimes carry over from parent to child. It's this phenomenon that gives the impression of having shared genes with relatives.
Normally, sex-specific marks that are triggered during early fetal development work to protect boys and girls in the womb from undergoing too much natural variation in testosterone, which should normally happen later in a pregnancy. Epigenetic processes prevent female fetuses from becoming masculinized when testosterone exposure gets too high, and vice versa for males.
Moreover, epi-marks also protect different sex-specific traits from swinging in the opposite direction; some affect the genitals, and others may affect sexual orientation. These epi-marks can be transmitted across generations from fathers to daughters, or mothers to sons. Essentially there is the presence of "sexually antagonistic" epi-marks — which sometimes carry over to the next generation and cause homosexuality in opposite-sex offspring.
In the basic of basic terms: Sometimes a boy receieves too many female epi-marks, and sometimes a girl can recieve too many male epi-marks. This could also be a critical factor in understanding gender identity crises.
So. Here's the rub: If this is true (and increasingly data suggests that it is), how could any god judge you for something that isn't even your fault?
Good question!
The current and most favoured theory under investigation is due to epigenetics.
What is epigenetics?
Good question!
The term epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that does not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence; a change in phenotype without a change in genotype. Epigenetic change is a regular and natural occurrence but can also be influenced by several factors including age, the environment/lifestyle, and disease state.
Basically: Epigenetic mechanisms can be seen as an added layer of information that clings to our DNA. Epi-marks regulate the expression of genes according to the strength of external cues. Genes are basically the instruction book, while epi-marks direct how those instructions get carried out. For example, they can determine when, where, and how much of a gene gets expressed.
Okay, so what does that have to do with them damn gays!?
Good question!
Sex-specific epi-marks which, unlike most genetic switches, get passed down from father to daughter or mother to son. Most epi-marks don't normally pass between generations and are essentially "erased." Epi-marks are usually produced from scratch with each generation — but new evidence is showing that they can sometimes carry over from parent to child. It's this phenomenon that gives the impression of having shared genes with relatives.
Normally, sex-specific marks that are triggered during early fetal development work to protect boys and girls in the womb from undergoing too much natural variation in testosterone, which should normally happen later in a pregnancy. Epigenetic processes prevent female fetuses from becoming masculinized when testosterone exposure gets too high, and vice versa for males.
Moreover, epi-marks also protect different sex-specific traits from swinging in the opposite direction; some affect the genitals, and others may affect sexual orientation. These epi-marks can be transmitted across generations from fathers to daughters, or mothers to sons. Essentially there is the presence of "sexually antagonistic" epi-marks — which sometimes carry over to the next generation and cause homosexuality in opposite-sex offspring.
In the basic of basic terms: Sometimes a boy receieves too many female epi-marks, and sometimes a girl can recieve too many male epi-marks. This could also be a critical factor in understanding gender identity crises.
So. Here's the rub: If this is true (and increasingly data suggests that it is), how could any god judge you for something that isn't even your fault?
