Troublesome Topic: HAVING BOTH MALE AND FEMALE DNA IS A TEST NOT AN EXCUSE

Contrary to what I used to think, some people actually do have a natural condition that gives them both male and female DNA at the same time; the closer it is to 50/50, the greater the possibility of gender confusion (thankfully, it is not usually close to 50/50). There are at least two ways this can occur naturally, and a few ways it occurs after In Vitro Fertilization or other human interventions in the reproductive process. However, to avoid complicating matters too much, I choose to focus on the best natural example of how such a condition can come about.

However, mixed DNA does not mean such people are helpless and must live a homosexual lifestyle. Sexual activity is a personal choice, and God still holds us responsible for our actions. God’s use of tests will enter the discussion as well. This is obviously a Biblical matter. Part of my purpose is to bring together science and the Bible, for they do belong together.

CHIMERAS

First, I need to provide a clear definition of  “chimera”. According to https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chimera, a chimera is, among other things, “an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitution.”

Thus, it is possible for a person to have two different sets of DNA in their body, as will be explained below.

One of the ways that happens is through something called the Vanishing Twin Syndrome.

VANISHING TWIN SYNDROME

“Vanishing Twin Syndrome … occurs when an embryo detected during an [early] ultrasound can’t be found on a future ultrasound. The embryo stops developing, and its tissue gets absorbed by the pregnant woman and the surviving embryo(s).” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23023-vanishing-twin-syndrome

The Vanishing Twin Syndrome is also called Fusion Chimerism. It happens “if one embryo dies in the womb after an initial twin pregnancy. The surviving fetus may absorb some of the cells of the deceased twin. As a result, the surviving fetus has two sets of DNA: its own DNA, and DNA from its twin.” https://medicover-genetics.com/genetics-of-chimerism-being-your-own-twin/#Fusion_chimerism

I say “thank you” to the people running the Medicover website for using words like “dies and deceased,” thus recognizing that the fetus was alive.

HOW COMMON IS VANISHING TWIN SYNDROME? 

It is very difficult to answer that question because only a small percentage of pregnant women get an ultrasound within the first 6 or 7 weeks of pregnancy. Many women have started out carrying twins but before they were even aware of that fact, one of the twins died and was absorbed by the mother and the other twin. If one of them dies later in the pregnancy, the dead baby is ejected via a natural miscarriage. However, losing one early via Vanishing Twin Syndrome is much more common than miscarrying one of the twins later on. Without an early ultrasound, the only other way to know that one twin was absorbed by the other twin is to test all babies to see if they have indicators for Chimerism. In the United States, the chance of having twins is less than 2% for women overall. Twin pregnancies worldwide make up 2% to 4% of all births. https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-baby/your-likelihood-of-having-twins-or-more_3575

Thus, the number of pregnancies that start out as twins is well above the 2% that end up with live twin babies being born. About half of all twin pregnancies are a male and a female. Therefore, half of the cases of Vanishing Twin Syndrome produced one child with some DNA from the opposite sex.

SUMMARY OF MY THREE MAIN POINTS

My first point: There are an unknown number of people walking around with at least some DNA from the opposite sex in their bodies. Of those who venture a guess at these numbers on the internet, the only consistent thing is that they all think it is considerably higher than those cases where the mom goes on to give birth to live twins, i.e. much higher than 2% of all pregnancies.

My second point: This does not mean that such a person is destined to live a homosexual lifestyle; it does not mean they are helpless to resist those who tell them they should feel free to pursue homosexual activity. Just because they have mixed DNA does not mean they are being forced toward homosexuality. Homosexuality is a choice of activity; if it is a choice, there is always freedom to choose a different option.

My third point: This too is a test – it is as if God is saying, “Will you resist the tendencies which seem so natural and follow my standard anyway?” Many such people have remained faithful to God’s instructions despite having this type of weakness. Having a weakness is no excuse for not following God’s commands.

When I say God is testing someone, does this mean God purposefully caused them to have the DNA of the opposite gender inside them? No. Rather I think it is something He has allowed as a consequence of Adam and Eve’s fall into sin. By allowing it He is the indirect cause of it, not the direct cause. Since it is a consequence of living in a sin-filled environment, a certain percentage of the population will have this situation to deal with, while others have other situations. Even though this is a natural consequence of Adam and Eve’s sin, how we deal with such situations form one of the tests God uses in many lives. He is watching to see how each one deals with their “big test”, and we all have at least one.

EXAMPLES OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE TESTED IN BIG WAYS

Some people just love to watch things burn; they find the experience captivating. As youth they set on fire as many natural things as they can find. They also burned as much of their own stuff as they could. Then they start burning things that belong to family members, and eventually they set ablaze anything they can find, regardless of who it belonged to or how valuable it was. Their interest in burning things is probably quite natural, but that does not mean they are justified in burning down businesses, churches, homes, etc. No, they are usually prosecuted for doing so. God allows them to face this fascinating interest as a test, and He expects them to pass the test even though it is hard. Even though their interest is natural, they must learn to control it and only burn their own stuff, not other people’s stuff.

Having no money and having lots of money are a type of test. They are situations that God allows us to face so we can prove to ourselves and to the world, what we are made of (God already knows). Yes, having lots of money is a spiritual test, for monetary wealth can corrupt the soul faster than most other things. Through lots of money God is testing to see if the person will be a giving or a greedy person. God is also testing the poor people to see if they will become givers or whiners. I have known lots of poor people who are generous givers but only a few rich people who are generous givers.

Those who struggle with anger will find many opportunities to get angry. God does not make it easy for them by shielding them from those situations, rather He keeps testing them to see if they really want Him and His way or not.

Most men possess a very strong sex-drive, yet many men cannot fully satisfy those needs in a way that pleases God because they are single, divorcees, widowers, or their wife is sick, etc. But God still expects them to be faithful to His commands; having a sexual affair is not excusable. This too is a test from God.

Many women struggle with insecurity. I believe that insecurity is for women what lust is for men – it is a very common challenge that few of them gain victory over. This too is a test from God. He says, “Will you trust me, fully trust me?”

What I am saying is that homosexual desires fall into the same category. I get the fact that some people actually have some DNA of the opposite gender in their bodies. But that does not give them an excuse. They are not forced to go that direction. They have a choice.

A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

If a person who has mixed up DNA sees it as a test, it can help them remember that the one who is giving/allowing the test, God, believes they can pass that test; He does not see it as a hopeless case. God never gives or allows a test that you cannot pass (see I Corinthians 10:13).

I must hasten to say that, as a believer in Jesus, I do not, and should not, expect those who don’t believe in Jesus to live by God’s standards. They won’t do so until they have a change of heart. Rather I try to let them know that God wants to radically change their lives and that includes things like sexual habits and how they deal with their “big test”, whatever that may be. God wants them to learn from experience what it is like to live according to how He designed them. It is a high calling, one which, if followed, would allow us to show others that it is possible to live above the pull of our “biggest test”, be it anger, insecurity, lust, or homosexuality. God’s solution is wholistic – it touches every part of our lives.

If we as Christians are communicating to people, either directly or indirectly, that they will be punished with eternal damnation because they are homosexuals, we are sending the wrong message. Those who will be judged in that way will be judged because they rejected God’s offer of salvation through Jesus which forgives sins like those I just mentioned and then restores us to a condition that is closer to what God desires for us. Their lifestyle is a symptom of their spiritual condition. God wants to change the condition of their inner being, which should bring about lifestyle changes as a result of the inner change.

Americans have heard for a long time that homosexuality was something unavoidable for people who were “born that way.” I believe that having mixed DNA does not mean being born homosexual; there is no one-to-one link there.

But now some people in our culture are saying that anyone can choose what gender they want to be or which sexual orientation they desire. They are no longer saying that certain people are “born that way”; they are saying all of us have a choice and they imply that many more should choose homosexuality. It is true that people can indeed choose that option, but not without consequences.

Unfortunately, the greatest harms done by the LGBTQ+++ movement have been to children! Despite what has been said or how loud it was shouted, children need a mother and a father! They are damaged if they don’t have both; there is a loss if a mother or father dies or if a divorce leaves a child with only one parent.

We should focus on the obvious needs of children. The happiness and dreams of the adults in the picture should never take first place over the undeniable needs of the children!

The next lesson for the full series on covenants is: WHY WAS THE DEATH PENALTY FOR SEXUAL ACTS INCONSISTENT? Part 1

The next lesson for in the medium series on covenants is: WHY DID GOD ALLOW POLYGAMY?