Comments on: A Predictive Formula for Orientation? http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2007/11/08/994 News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:03:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Spalchik http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2007/11/08/994/comment-page-1#comment-3959 Spalchik Fri, 09 Nov 2007 06:24:39 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2007/11/08/994#comment-3959 Although logistic regression yielded very high prediction rates, that doesn't mean that all factors in this regression have the same weight (regression coefficients). It is important to know the regression coefficients to be able to tell which factors are most influential. I agree with Witelson who says that people's opinion about their own orientation cannot be relied upon with 100% certainty, and this somewhat undermines the predictive power of such a regression. Although logistic regression yielded very high prediction rates, that doesn’t mean that all factors in this regression have the same weight (regression coefficients). It is important to know the regression coefficients to be able to tell which factors are most influential.

I agree with Witelson who says that people’s opinion about their own orientation cannot be relied upon with 100% certainty, and this somewhat undermines the predictive power of such a regression.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2007/11/08/994/comment-page-1#comment-3949 Patrick Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:57:29 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2007/11/08/994#comment-3949 It will never be "proven" for several reasons. First, it would be unethical to manipulate fetuses. Second, it appears there are multiple paths up the same mountain, thus no one cause will ever be demonstrated. Third, there will likely be some individuals who identify as homosexual who do so for social reasons. However, I consider the evidence now beyond reasonable doubt that homosexuality is inborn. Furthermore, no post-natal social factor or combination of factors have been identified as determining a homosexual orientation. This is especially significant given the much longer time frame for research on post-natal causes, given the paradigms researchers have worked under over the last 50-100 years. It will never be “proven” for several reasons. First, it would be unethical to manipulate fetuses. Second, it appears there are multiple paths up the same mountain, thus no one cause will ever be demonstrated. Third, there will likely be some individuals who identify as homosexual who do so for social reasons.

However, I consider the evidence now beyond reasonable doubt that homosexuality is inborn. Furthermore, no post-natal social factor or combination of factors have been identified as determining a homosexual orientation. This is especially significant given the much longer time frame for research on post-natal causes, given the paradigms researchers have worked under over the last 50-100 years.

]]>