E344 (343 Pt 2) How can Gay Genes stay in the population without offspring?

·22 min·2 clips

Dr. Lyle explains how a 'beautiful gene' that increases estrogen in women might also produce gay sons.

The episode is part two of episode 343, continuing directly with Dr. Doug Lisle's answer to a listener-submitted question. The listener, who identifies as gay, asks how homosexuality can persist evolutionarily if it doesn't promote gene reproduction, framing it as a Darwinian paradox. Dr. Lisle begins by clarifying basic evolutionary principles, noting that genes code for proteins that build structures with psychological tendencies, and successful genes proliferate through survival and reproduction advantages. He then develops a detailed hypothetical model using a 'B gene' (or suite of genes) that increases estrogen production in females. A woman with many such genes would exhibit highly estrogenized, feminine characteristics, making her more attractive to males and thus likely to secure a higher-quality mate. Her children would inherit these genes. If the child is a daughter, she would likely be more beautiful and fertile. If the child is a son, the high estrogen load during fetal brain development could tip his sexual psychology toward a female mate search image, making him gay. Dr. Lisle states this is not just theoretical, pointing to the empirically verified fact that sisters of gay men are more sexually attractive than sisters of straight men. He suggests a symmetrical prediction: brothers of lesbian women should be more androgenized and conventionally handsome, though he hasn't seen that research. He emphasizes this is one possible explanation among others, but dismisses social learning or trauma theories, asserting sexual psychology is overwhelmingly innate. The episode concludes with Dr. Lisle reflecting on viewing human differences through a lens of microbiology, chemistry, and evolutionary happenstance, acknowledging this perspective has been controversial in social science. The hosts briefly preview future topics like the Middle East conflict and abortion before signing off.

As heard by us

A Darwinian puzzle becomes a speculative look at mate choice, inherited B genes, hormones, and sexual orientation.

This episode takes a Darwinian question about gene transmission and sets it against the continued existence of gay people. Dr. Lyle begins by admitting the answer may not be known, then sketches a possible chain involving mate choice, sexually attractive or resourceful partners,…

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You want Dr. Lyle walking through an evolutionary puzzle about gay people by way of gene transmission, mate choice, and prenatal hormones.

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