1up wroteOniGumo wrote
That isn't necessarilly indicative of it not being a genetic trait, if the codon/gene/allele was recessive it could be passed on unseen for generations before finally hooking up with another recessive and surfacing. That's not to say that I think that it's genetic per-se but I certainly feel that genes play a role in it.
Not that it really matters, but neither codons nor alleles can be recessive. One is just a stretch of 3 nucleotides coding for a single amino acid, and the other is a pair of genes, basically.
What you're talking about here is the difference between phenotype and genotype.
For the record, you're completely on the ball saying that genes and environment will both have an impact. Genes have an impact on pretty much everything, but it's in no way definitive. Sexual preference will in some way be impacted by genes, brain development, culture and other environmental factors. Most likely the genetic element is an epiphenomenon based on preferences that have evolutionary logic but have been "pumped up" to points which admittedly may not be too healthy.
Logically thinking it makes sense, seeing as up to about 400 years ago being able to store energy for a "rainy day" was a very beneficial trait. And it goes without saying that, in general *especially in those days*, such a trait would be sought after.
It also shows that you're able to overfeed yourself, meaning if the needs be you can provide for a family.
All this said, i believe most of it will be psychological rather than genetic. Not being genetic, however, doesn't stop something being inherited. Wealth for example is inherited, but is there a gene for becoming rich?
I agree with everything you say except that an allele is a pair of genes, an allele is a single gene which hooks up with it's homologue during sexual reproduction; forming a homologus pair.
You are right though, what I was thinking of were genotypic/phenotypic ratios, but only so far as to explain that a recessive allele/trait can go generations without being expressed.
