Inevitable Nipple Analogy

“A genetic theory of homosexuality.” by William Saletan in yesterday’s Slate suggests an inevitable analogy.

The article reports on recent work (pdf) addressing the ‘if homosexuality is genetic, why hasn’t it died out?’ debate, which suggests that the ‘gene for male homosexuality persists because it promotes—and is passed down through—high rates of procreation among gay men’s mothers, sisters, and aunts‘.

In other words, gayness in men can be as natural and as the male nipple, even if both are initially puzzling when thought of in evolutionary terms. OK I’m stretching things slightly, but I can’t help but wonder whether the nipple analogy might be a good basis for informal arguments for a bit more tolerance:

Let He Who is Without Nipples Cast the First Stone?

Or maybe not.

More on the Great Nipple Question from straightdope.com; a moment of science; and the evolution-101 blog.

Syndicated 2008-06-27 13:35:11 from danbri's foaf stories