Xq28

Xq28 is a genetic marker on the X chromosome found by Dean Hamer and others in 1993. Hamer's study found a link between the Xq28 marker and male homosexuality,^[1] but the original study's results have been disputed.^[2]

Additional recommended knowledge

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

Safe Weighing Range Ensures Accurate Results

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

1993 study

The 1993 study by Hamer examined 114 families of gay men and found supposed increased rates of homosexuality among maternal uncles and cousins, but not among paternal relatives. Genetic linkage was studied in 40 of the families, in which there were two gay brothers. A correlation to Xq28 and other microsatellite markers was found in approximately 64% of the cases.

1999 study

A further study of these results in 1999 disputed the results. Studying 52 pairs of gay brothers, George Rice and others found no statistically significant linkage in alleles and haplotypes and concluded against an X-linked male homosexuality gene.^[3]

When the refuting study was published in Science, Hamer disputed it, standing by his original results.^[4]

References

1. ^ Hamer, Hu, Magnuson, Hu and Pattatucci (1993) A linkage between DNA markers on the X chromosome and male sexual orientation. Science 261(5119): pp. 321-7. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
2. ^ Doubt cast on 'gay gene', April 23, 1999, BBC News
3. ^ Rice, Anderson, Risch and Ebers (1999) Male Homosexuality: Absence of Linkage to Microsatellite Markers at Xq28. Science 23(5414): pp. 665-667. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
4. ^ Discovery of 'Gay Gene' Questioned, Ingrid Wickelgren, April 23, 1999.

See also

• Biology and sexual orientation