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[Sheb]

Is it a genetic factor that limits population growth? In my odd mind that makes sense. For something like this to exist, it has to confer some sort of benefit on the species. What benefit does homosexuality give?

Don't want to be mean, but you obviously don't have a perfect grasp of how Natural Selection works. A gene doesn't care about the specie as a whole. It only cares if it's better than its alternatives for the individuals that have it.

For example, it may be beneficial for a specie to limit its population so it doesn't overcrowd its environment. But it doesn't happens, because even if it'd benefit the specie as a whole, each individual benefit from having more kids that the others. Call it the Tragedy of the Commons if you want.

As for the reasons behind a gay gene (if such a thing exist), a video of Richard Dawkins giving at least three such reasons was posted earlier in the thread.

[Reudh]

Don't want to be mean, but you obviously don't have a perfect grasp of how Natural Selection works. A gene doesn't care about the specie as a whole. It only cares if it's better than its alternatives for the individuals that have it.

You are correct, I never studied Biology in high school.

[Frumple]

You are correct, I never studied Biology in high school.

Nyeah, not even high school biology covers evolutionary forces to any degree that's actually worth a shit for understanding the process as it's understood currently. It generally gives kind of a cliff notes, poorly set forth, version that completely gets torn to pieces once you pick up pretty much anything related to the modern study of genetics. It's pretty complicated, honestly.

[Sheb]

Well, not that complicated and there is quite a few good books around explaining it. But it's true that I'm biased, as I'm doing a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. :p