Researchers continue to look for any evidence of the existence of a “gay gene.” If they can find such a gene then it will validate the existence of every homosexual person and the “born that way” explanation; so they say. The problem of course, is that, to date, no evidence for such a gene has been found. In fact, every attempt to locate such a gene has failed.

But failure has not stopped ongoing research from continuing their quest for the elusive answer to all their legitimacy problems. So the search for a “gay gene” continues.

In the latest attempt researchers evaluated genomes from 409 pairs of homosexual brothers in order to determine if there was a genetic marker that caused their homosexuality. A recent report states:

“The researchers conducted genomic analysis on 409 pairs of homosexual brothers in the largest study of its kind to date and identified two areas where they think they found a genetic link to homosexuality among the men. The genomic linkages were found on chromosome 8 and chromosome Xq28, according to the study published in the journal Psychological Medicine. Other studies previously evaluating these regions as being associated sexual orientation in men have seen mixed results.”

Researchers hailed the study as a victory for the “born that way” myth saying that “It erodes the notion that sexual orientation is a choice.” Others said:

“Yes, we have a choice in life, to be ourselves or to conform to someone else’s idea of normality, but being straight, bisexual or gay, or none of these, is a central part of who we are, thanks in part to the DNA we were born with.”

Researchers not involved in this study, however, were not as quick to declare victory. A university of California, San Francisco, genetics expert said the data is statistically too weak to offer any conclusive genetic link. And a Harvard Medical School geneticist said the study is “intriguing but not in any way conclusive.” And a rep for Science Magazine said the “type of DNA analysis used in the study might serve to call some of the findings into question because it has ‘largely been superseded by other techniques.’”

So what is this? Is this a victory for the “gay-gene-born-that-way” movement? Is this another study to be ignored like the previous studies seeking a “gay gene”?

It certainly doesn’t seem to be a victory for the “gay gene” movement. Rather than finding an actual gene that caused someone to be predisposed to homosexuality, researchers were only able to find a region containing many genes that were similar in homosexual men. That is a far cry from an actual gene. So, for the moment this is not a triumph that should cause any alarm.

But the reality is that this kind of research will continue. There is a desperate attempt to find a “gay gene” for the simple reason that doing so would provide the validation needed to justify any and every law legalizing homosexuality. No longer would any ban on same-sex “marriage” be justifiably legal. No longer would any perceived or supposed discrimination against homosexuality be tolerated. Even religious convictions against homosexuality would be undermined, in the eyes of many, as they proudly proclaim “God made me this way” more loudly.

Some might view such a discovery as dangerous to the biblical understanding of sexuality. I don’t necessarily agree because as it stands, without the support of research, the biblical understanding of sexuality is being relentlessly attacked. Though no such “gay gene” has been located and every attempt has failed, those certain that they were “born that way” champion their cause against any attempt to use the Bible to say otherwise. They are, in essence, distorting the biblical understanding of sexuality as we speak and twisting Scripture to fit their agenda.

Furthermore, the discovery of a “gay gene” would in no way remove or alter the biblical understanding of sexuality that is clearly taught from beginning to end. Homosexuality would no more be legitimate or un-sinful if there was a “gay gene” than it is right now. Just as alcoholism, adultery, theft, lying, or bestiality would be legitimate and biblically lawful with the discovery of their respective gene. Christians would still not be able to approve of what the Bible clearly calls sin just because a gene was found that supposedly predisposes people toward homosexuality. Sin is sin.

My belief that no such gene exists is not the questions here. My belief stands in subjection to the truth of Scripture and the Bible clearly denounces homosexual behavior as sinful behavior in need of repentance. So even the discovery of a gene would not change that fact.

Some might be tempted to think I am writing this in anticipation of the discovery of a “gay gene” in order to preempt such a discovery. Not true. I just said I don’t believe such a gene exists. I’m writing to reiterate the biblical position that homosexual behavior, like drunkenness, adultery, theft, lying, and bestiality are sinful behaviors in need of repentance. Whether a person commits these behaviors because of choice of because of genetics does not change the fact that they are sinful and need to be repented of.

If we can blame our sin on genetics it won’t be long before there is a “gene” for every ill that plagues society. Rather than seek a genetic answer to our sin we would do better to look to the underlying cause – our predisposition toward sin due to our sin nature passed down from the first man, Adam – and realize that we need a Savior. Once we are willing to admit that we are a sinner in need of a Savior we have hope of being delivered from our sin.

There’s no such thing as a “sin gene.” But there is a sin problem. Thankfully the “cure” for our sin problem was given 2000 years ago.