Document Detail


Eye color, hair color, blood type, and the rhesus factor: exploring possible genetic links to sexual orientation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18074215     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The present study sought to expand the limited evidence that sexual orientation is influenced by genetic factors. This was accomplished by seeking statistical differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals for four traits that are known to be genetically determined: eye color, natural hair color, blood type, and the Rhesus factor. Using a sample of over 7,000 U.S. and Canadian college students supplemented with additional homosexual subjects obtained through internet contacts, we found no significant differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals regarding eye color or hair color. In the case of blood type and the Rh factor, however, interesting patterns emerged. Heterosexual males and females exhibited statistically identical frequencies of the A blood type, while gay men exhibited a relatively low incidence and lesbians had a relatively high incidence (p < .05). In the case of the Rh factor, unusually high proportions of homosexuals of both sexes were Rh- when compared to heterosexuals (p < .06). The findings suggest that a connection may exist between sexual orientation and genes both on chromosome 9 (where blood type is determined) and on chromosome 1 (where the Rh factor is regulated).
Authors:
Lee Ellis; Christopher Ficek; Donald Burke; Shyamal Das
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Archives of sexual behavior     Volume:  37     ISSN:  0004-0002     ISO Abbreviation:  Arch Sex Behav     Publication Date:  2008 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-01-23     Completed Date:  2008-06-18     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  1273516     Medline TA:  Arch Sex Behav     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  145-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Minot State University, Minot, ND 58707, USA. lee.ellis@minotstateu.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
ABO Blood-Group System / genetics*
Adolescent
Adult
Canada
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / genetics
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 / genetics
Eye Color / genetics*
Female
Hair Color / genetics*
Health Surveys
Homosexuality, Female / genetics*
Homosexuality, Male / genetics*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / genetics*
Sexual Behavior*
United States
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/ABO Blood-Group System; 0/Rh-Hr Blood-Group System

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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