Study: Gay men tied to population growth

Published: June 24, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Legalization of same sex marriage begins in California

PADOVA, Italy, June 24 (UPI) -- Italian scientists say they've found the same genetic factors leading to male homosexuality also lead to increased fertility in the homosexuals' mothers.

The researchers said male homosexuality is associated with a phenomenon called sexually antagonistic selection, in which a genetic factor confers a reproductive advantage.

University of Padova Professors Andrea Camperio Ciani and Giovanni Zanzotto, along with Paolo Cermelli of the University of Torino, said the persistence of gay men in a population isn't easily explained by Darwin's theory of evolution, because men who possess genes predisposing them to homosexual behavior are much less likely to reproduce.

Gay men's lower rate of reproduction would be expected to lead to their eventual disappearance from a population, the researchers said. Empirical studies, however, have revealed steady rates of gay men in populations.

The researchers screened a large set of explanatory models and eliminated those inconsistent with observed data. They concluded that male homosexuality benefits populations by promoting female fecundity. Gay men, therefore, give rise to an increase of the fecundity of the whole population, they said.

The study is reported in the online journal PLoS One.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Brief intervention may stop drunk drivers (11 min)
Blame is socially contagious (15 min)
Avoid kissing, handshakes at Thanksgiving (18 min)
NBA: Denver 101, New Jersey 87 (45 min)
COL BKB: Illinois 78, Wofford 64 (53 min)
NBA: Oklahoma City 104, Utah 94
NBA: Golden State 111, Dallas 103
fark
Incredible gallery of Cockermouth floods, 72 nightmarish Cumbria shots
Man loses semi-truck and 5-year-old son at strip club. Why yes, drinking was involved
Photoshop this inauguration
Navy SEALS capture alleged terrorist behind Fallujah killings and mutilations, promptly face charges...
School district initiates hiring freeze.* (*Except for teachers, principals, assistant principals,...
Man robs bank, leaves crying - possibly withdrawn