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Scientists have recently discovered two gene variants that are more common in gay men than straight men, adding to the evidence that homosexuality is, at least, partially genetic.
最近，科学家们发现了两种基因变异，这两种变异在同性恋男性身体中比异性恋男性更为常见，这进一步为同性恋至少是部分遗传，提供了证据。
This news may actually sound familiar to you, as studies in the early ‘90s also identified regions on the 8th and X-chromosomes that were correlated with homosexuality.
这消息听起来熟悉，90年代早期的研究就已发现第八和X染色体上有区域与同性恋相关。
But the genes identified this time are on the 13th and 14th chromosomes, and it's the first time ever scientists have identified specific genes, not just a region on a chromosome that could be correlated with sexuality.
但是这一次发现的基因位于第十三和第十四染色体上，这是科学家们首次发现特定基因，而不仅是染色体上的一个区域，与性别有关。
The genes were found by comparing the DNA of 1077 gay men with the DNA of 1231 straight men, looking for variations as small as a single nucleotide.
通过对1077位男同性恋者的DNA以及1231位异性恋男子的DNA进行比较，寻找如单个核苷酸一样小的基因变异，最终发现了这些特定基因。
The gene on chromosome 13, called SLITRK6, is active in a region of the brain called the diencephalon; that same region contains the hypothalamus.
十三号染色体上的基因称为SLITRK6，活跃在大脑中的间脑区域；而间脑包含着下丘脑。
The SLITRK6 gene has been shown to be active in the hypothalamus of male mice fetuses days before they're born, which is thought to be a crucial time for sexual differentiation.
SLITRK6基因已被证明，在雄性小鼠胎儿出生以前数天，就已经活跃在其下丘脑中，而这被认为是性别分化的关键时刻。
The other gene scientists identified is called TSHR, and it's mainly active in regulating the thyroid, an endocrine gland in your neck.
科学家们发现的另一个基因被称为TSHR，它主要用于调节甲状腺，也就是位于你脖子上的一种内分泌腺。
The thyroid releases hormones that control your metabolism, and there is a thyroid condition where the TSHR gene doesn't function, leading to an overactive thyroid and weight loss.
甲状腺释放激素，控制你的新陈代谢，而甲状腺有一种情况是TSHR基因功能丧失，从而导致甲状腺功能亢进和体重减轻。
This condition, called Grave's disease, is more common among gay men.
这种情况被称为“格雷夫斯病”，在男同性恋者中更为常见。
So these recently pinpointed genes fit nicely with past research, but it's possible to have these variants and not be gay.
因此，这些新近发现的基因与过去的研究非常吻合，但也可能身上存在这些变异，而不是同性恋。
By our current understanding homosexuality is influenced by many genes, each having a small effect.
根据我们目前的理解，同性恋受到许多基因的影响，每一个基因都起到一点作用。
And the environment probably plays a role too.
而且环境也很可能扮演着某种角色。
You may have noticed that I never mentioned any studies involving women, and that's because the science on female homosexuality is lagging behind.
你可能已经注意到我从来没有提到过任何涉及女性的研究，这是因为关于女性同性恋的研究相对滞后。
The evidence that several genes could contribute to homosexuality may explain why some people are bisexual too.
有证据表明，那些可能帮助解释为什么有些人是同性恋的基因也可能能够解释双性恋。
Thanks for watching, be sure to come back for more, and I'll see you next time on Seeker.
谢谢收看，一定要回来观看更多视频，下期SEEKER再见。
