Sexual Orientation is Genetic: New Algorithm Predicts the Orientation of Men

A newly created algorithm using epigenetic information can actually predict the sexual orientation of males. The new algorithm relies on information from just nine regions of the human genome, and is accurate up to 70 percent.

"To our knowledge, this is the first example of a predictive model for sexual orientation based on molecular markers," said Tuck C. Ngun, first author of the new study, in a news release.

In this latest study, the researchers studied patterns of DNA methylation, which is a molecular modification to DNA that affects when and how strongly a gene is expressed, across the genome in pairs of identical male twins. In order to sort through this dataset, the scientists created a machine learning algorithm called FuzzyForest. They found that methylation patterns in nine small regions, scattered across the genome, could be used to predict study participants' sexual orientation with 70 percent accuracy.

"A challenge was that because we studied twins, their DNA methylation patterns were highly correlated," said Ngun. "The high correlation and large data set made it difficult to identify differences between twins, determine which ones were relevant to sexual orientation, and determine which of those could be used predictively."

The findings reveal a bit more about what determines sexual orientation. It appears that it is, in fact, genetic.

"Sexual attraction is such a fundamental part of life, but it's not something we know a lot about at the genetic and molecular level," said Ngun. "I hope this research helps us understand ourselves better and why we are the way we are."

The findings were presented at the American Society of Human Genetics 2015 Annual Meeting.

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