Don't Pair Up With Matching Genes (Infidelity?)

New Scientist ^ | 1-5-2007 | Matt Kaplan

[blam]

Don't pair up with matching genes

11:30 05 January 2007
NewScientist.com news service
Matt Kaplan

They say opposites attract – and a couple’s differences may be key to lasting happiness, according to a new genetic study of people in relationships. The findings were so predictive, that a DNA test could one day reveal how likely a woman is to cheat on her partner, the study suggests.

Psychologist Christine Garver-Apgar at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, US, and colleagues investigated whether genetic similarities among romantically involved couples predicted how faithful and sexually responsive the partners were to one another.

The team analysed specific genes belonging to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) – a set of genes that control the tags used by the immune system to differentiate between pathogens and cells belonging to the body. Previous research has shown that the MHC plays a role in sexual attraction, but its lasting role in a long-term relationship has not been investigated.

“There have been a number of studies that tested whether MHC similarities played a role in attraction, some involving sweaty T-shirts that women were actually asked to smell,” says Garver-Apgar. “What we wanted to know was whether or not these discoveries had any implications for romantically involved couples.”

Cheating chance

Garver-Apgar and colleagues carried out a genetic analysis of 48 heterosexual couples who had been in an exclusive relationship for at least two years.

[VeritatisSplendor]

So cousin-marrying husbands (TROP comes to mind) perhaps have reason to be paranoid and jealous?

Mrs VS

[Vaquero]

take the DNA of the kid...and the father...then you will know.

[chartnah]

Think Pre-Nup agreements...

[GOP Poet]

Interesting study to read, but I must say whether a woman is attracted to another person besides her husband or a man is attracted to another woman that isn't his wife the remedy is the same. Hands off. Motives for not--there will always be many reasons to entice. This study reminds me alittle of a study of how men are sexually attracted to women of 'birthing' age for the obvious reasons (procreation).

I believe this is why marriage is a commitment not based on just one being sexually pleasured and happy at all times (to those that stay married anyway).

[Quix]

I believe this is why marriage is a commitment not based on just one being sexually pleasured and happy at all times (to those that stay married anyway).
= = =

AMEN AMEN AMEN!

[dyers]

This reminded me of something I read awhile ago on Wikipedia:

"In a 1995 experiment, a group of female college students smelled t-shirts that had been worn by male students for two nights, without deodorant, cologne or scented soaps. Overwhelmingly, the women preferred the odors of men with dissimilar MHCs to their own. However, their preference was reversed if they were taking oral contraceptives. [3] The hypothesis is that MHCs affect mate choice and that oral contraceptives can interfere with this.

This experiment has yet to be satisfactorily replicated and as such is still an issue of much contention."

[Chewbacca]

In this age of unwed mothers and multiple bastard children from multiple fathers along with lesbians and single mothers going to sperm banks to get impregnated at some point or another kids might end up marrying, kissing, or having sex with their own half brothers and sisters.

[GOP Poet]

That is great/fascinating! Contraception interfering with a woman's 'natural' person of attraction, would explain all the women these days being attracted to these low life, liberal, none working, feminized men. Just the opposite of what my MHC is looking for :-). Thanks for your post.

[ViLaLuz]

This could be scientific proof that men should not 'marry' other men.

[SuzyQue]

You will know what?

[brwnsuga]

We've had our good and bad times. But 18 years later we are still happily married because we ride this roller coaster TOGETHER and we are committed to staying in our seats with our hands securely in the car. Happiness is a choice you make not just a feeling, it should not depend on the circumstance you are in.

[trisham]

Garver-Apgar and colleagues carried out a genetic analysis of 48 heterosexual couples who had been in an exclusive relationship for at least two years.

************

Wow. Two years. Exclusively? I'm impressed.

[GOP Poet]

we are committed to staying in our seats with our hands securely in the car.

:-). What a great simile and visual. So very appropriate and clear.

Happiness is a choice you make not just a feeling, it should not depend on the circumstance you are in.

Great point and one for all to ponder when it seems otherwise. Thanks.

[GOP Poet]

After many years of being a single women before marriage (as my husband was a single man many years before), I/he learned there is always a new 'drug' out there. Always has been, always will be. Some are more vulnerable then others to drug addiction. Sugar gives a high, amazing food, exercise, meditation, sex, attraction, attention, success, money, power etc, etc.

Affairs are shots of adrenaline combined with a whole bunch of other 'feel good feelings'. They are short sprints. Bottom line the two people are just using one another to feel good.

Marriage is the marathon. Some people marry for the same reasons people have affairs, but eventually all comes out in the wash and that is one of the reasons people dash off, the high wears off or the fantasy doesn't come to fruition. We get plenty of chances not only to see our partner as they truly are but to actually see ourselves as we truly are and that can be horrid and disconcerting. God has a sense of humor. It is so easy to blame the other. Down right convenient.

Ah the lessons we all learn aye? Mr. MHC looks pretty good in comparison at times, but so does little Miss Understanding to him. Eventually they wear thin too and then one has all the damage they left behind. Not a pretty picture after all is said and done. As uncomfortable as it is at times, it is less painful to look at the core of the problem--oneself and their attitude. /speech :-)