Gay gene

A gene located on the X chromosome which was alleged to determine male homosexuality.

The 'gay gene' was dubbed homosexuality 1 (HMS1) and the male sexual orientation gene.

It was thought to be in chromosome band Xq28. However, one would expect there to be strong selective pressures against a gene for male homosexual orientation.

The original claim for the 'gay gene' was made in 1993 by Dean H.

Hamer and colleagues.

There has been no independent confirmation of the existence of a 'gay gene' and today there is considerable doubt about its existence