Homosexuality and Natural Selection.

The evidence for a genetic component in homosexuality is pretty strong. Like all individual expressions of our species' potential, likely both nature and nurture play a role. Nonetheless, in the sense that evolution made us all what we are, they are correct: not in the teleological thrust of their argument, but in the basic premise that we should look to evolution to fully understand the phenomenon: many other animal species exhibit the same behavior, so there must be some evolutionary force at work.Keep in mind that the individual is not the only arena in which evolution operates. Demographics show us that gays are more affluent than their otherwise statistically identical counterparts; cultural stereotypes suggest an affinity for the arts and other creative endeavors. It is reasonable to suspect that some level of incidence of homosexuality benefits the group.Can there be an advantage to the community in a genetic constellation that contributes to both intelligent creativity and alternative sexuality? That seems like a reasonable hypothesis to me; is creativity liberated by freedom from the burden of procreation? As a father and grandfather, that also seems reasonable. Tell them evolution made them what they are for their intrinsic worth, not to control overpopulation. Who wouldn't adore that?

Hi, WK. You say:

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The trade off between R, high fecundity, and K, lower fecundity higher parental investment, strategies can be seen all the way through the organismal spectrum even in a highly K species such as humans.

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Then you conclude:

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Humans are an R type species, but there are certainly a number of environmental condition where a more K like high fecundity strategy could be advantageous.

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I don't understand how you got from A to B.

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Thanks, WK.I in turn used my Wayback Machine to go back to just prior to my alleged first reading of your post.There was no error--it never happened.

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Individuals do not select themselves into or out of existence. The theory of evolution accounts for scenarios where the non-reproducing individual benefits the genes it carries: altruism, social insects, and, apparently, homosexuality. I'm sure there are more.Many women disinclined to have sex have done so for the sake of having children--was that going against their nature? See above. Why do you assume the mother would be straight?

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