GenQ - For the not so straight individual

New research in Canada recently showed that boys have a greater chance of becoming gay if they have older brothers.

Is there actually truth behind this research that a mans sexuality could be determined by the fact that the more older brothers that a guy has, the higher the chances are of being gay?

According to the Canadian researchers for each brother that precedes him, a boy's likelihood of growing up gay increases by a third.

This research also showed that it could only apply to brothers with the same biological mother so therefore probably wouldnt occur with step brothers who have different biological mothers.
A researcher from a University in Canada, says a man's sexual orientation may be determined before he is born by the maternal response to carrying male foetuses.
Also the increased chance of homosexuality could apply even where men had older full brothers who had been raised separately in a different home, offering further evidence for a biological effect.

So do these findings actually indicate that a man's sexual orientation is influenced by biolical factors rather than by other factors such as the way a child is brought up or choices made later in life?

In a recent article on a medical website,the findings were as follows:

"Previous research has also suggested that genetics and the womb environment can have a major impact on sexual preferences in both men and women.
Why having older biological brothers affects male sexuality is unclear, but many researchers theorise that it is a reflection of the way a mother's immune system reacts to carrying lots of male foetuses.

Males have a Y chromosome and females do not, and it is thought that a mother's body may be more likely to recognise a male foetus as foreign and generate a strong immune response.
This response can apparently strengthen with each subsequent male pregnancy and may affect the way that the brain develops sexually.
This theory is supported by a substantial number of other studies but does not apply to having older sisters.
Sisters have no impact, and there is no effect on girls, as female foetuses do not provoke the same reaction.
Certain parts of the body are affected by the male sex hormone testosterone during the development of the foetus and clues from the shape of ears, fingers, eyes and arms all indicate that many lesbians are exposed to higher levels of testosterone in the womb."

So therefore what is your opinion on these findings? Do researchers from other countries around the world have the same findings?

Do we instantly believe that the more older natural brothers we have the greater the chance of us being gay?
And finally, is it only biological factors affecting the outcome of our sexuality or are there other factors involved including the way we are raised or by simple decisions we may make to "become gay"?

In coming weeks I will endeavour to research further findings to support or dispute these theories.

Any reader with comments or feedback are welcome to forward them to rod@queerplanet.com.au or editor@queerplanet.com.au