9/10/2014

Is Sexual Orientation Determined At Birth

Christian Rodriguez

Topic
For years the question whether sexual orientation is determined at birth, or in other words
is it a matter of nature or nurture, has plagued psychologist, doctors, religious figures, and just
the general public. The question is simple, is sexual orientation nature, meaning it is something
youre born with, something you cannot change. Or, is sexual orientation nurture, meaning it is
something learned, either by observation, childhood experiences, or a type or neurological
development.
Audience
Most of the time it is only doctors, psychologists ask this question but lately the
controversy has really grown to a very public matter. Homosexuals have been trying to gain
every ones acceptance to be able to get married legally. Many studies have been made and many
articles have been written with opposing view points of topic but all attempt to answer the same
question, is sexual orientation nature or nurture? Hopefully this will provide my audience with
some sort of understanding of the subject.
Article
In an article written by Ian Sample the topic is presented as nature. He uses scientific data
to explain how sexual orientation is a matter of nature. Sample explains how scientists tested the
DNA of a large group of gay man and compared the DNA. The scientists found that at least two
chromosomes affected whether a man was gay or straight proving that the controversy could be
put to rest, and perhaps there could be a way for people to combat the gene and prevent it from
happening.
Ethos

9/10/2014

Is Sexual Orientation Determined At Birth

Christian Rodriguez

This author used great credibility to prove his point. The reason it is great credibility is
because he is using actual evidence found be scientist to explain the gay gene. The only way
for people to actually get credible evidence of this topic is if it was coming from an actual
scientist that has ran lab tests and conducted experiments to prove that people are born with a
gay gene. Only a scientist would be able to prove that. Although, there is one thing that is not
taken into account with this lab test. The scientists only took the DNA of men who were older
and already gay, they did not take into consideration that they were not born with it, perhaps it
was developed.
Pathos
Sample also writes about how a psychologist took the idea to a convention and presented
it. The psychologist faced many questions and comments about his presentation for which he
said, it would be abuse of research to determine a humans sexual orientation before birth because
of the risk of abortion and causing a discrimination against unborn gay children. This is pathos
because the psychologist is showing pity for unborn children.
Picture

9/10/2014

Is Sexual Orientation Determined At Birth

Christian Rodriguez

This picture provides an opposing view point of the topic. Here teens describe whether
something effected them while they were growing up that cause them to become homosexual. By
now youre probably wondering why would I keep writing about this if there is already evidence
of man being homosexual due to genetic abnormalities. The reason I am still writing about this
is because the study was only conducted in men but not women. So with that being said perhaps
people choose to be gay or it is a neurological disorder caused by traumatizing sexual abuse
during childhood, absence or poor parenting, or just sheer choice.
Ethos
The credibility of this picture is that in the past many psychologist have proved many
characteristics of a human is developed during early childhood when the brain is most vulnerable
to change and adaptation. One psychologist that would be Sigmund Freud who believed in
unconscious behaviors being cause by traumatizing childhood experiences.
Pathos

9/10/2014

Is Sexual Orientation Determined At Birth

Christian Rodriguez

The belief that sexual orientation is nurture gives people a feeling of free will allowing
them to be able to choose what they like and what they dont. giving them happiness through free
will.

9/10/2014

Is Sexual Orientation Determined At Birth

Christian Rodriguez

http://www.gallup.com/poll/8005/teens-homosexuality-nature-nurture.aspx
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/feb/14/genes-influence-male-sexual-orientation-study