Wednesday, September 3, 2008

It's all in the genes!


Nice! If you're unfaithful, now you have something to blame it on!

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – ( ABC 4 News) - Men who cheat on their wives might be able to blame it on their DNA, according to a study released on Tuesday that indicated that men with a high amount of a gene that influences brain activity are twice as likely to experience marital dysfunction.

“I think it is very interesting to study all the effects that genes have on our behavior,” said Louisa Stark, Director of the Genetic Science and Learning Center at the Eccles Medical Foundation. But Stark said while the study is interesting many things determine human behavior. “It would be nice if we could identify one gene and turn it off to get a spouse that is loyal...but we just aren’t there yet,” Stark said.

The term allele refers to a series of genes on a chromosome. According to a study conducted in Stockholm, Sweden, men who have one or two copies of the allele in their genetic make up have a difficult time committing to and maintaining a monogamous relationship. But many women find that difficult to believe. “I think that is a lame excuse for being unfaithful,” said Megan Warner as she walked with her son at Salt Lake’s Gateway shopping center. “We make choices every day for good and bad and I think it is a matter of choice.” “So you won’t give men a break on this?” “No way, not at my house!”

But genetic research at the Karolinska institute in Stockholm shows a direct link between a man's genes and his aptitude for monogamy. Behavioral geneticist Hasse Walum and a team of scientists studied the brains of one-thousand heterosexual couples. 40 percent of men have one or two copies of the allele. “Men with two copies of the allele had twice the risk of experiencing marital dysfunction, with a threat of divorce during the last year, compared to man carrying one or no copies,” said Walum in a news release issued on Tuesday.

The researchers admit that culture, religion and family background also plays a big part in a man's decision to form a life long bond, along with the fear of getting caught.

Research done on the same gene in animals showed why some animals mate for life and others become loners and do not bond with females or help raise offspring, but this is the first research to draw the connection in human males.

Walum’s findings have set off a debate in the scientific community about whether women should or should not conduct genetic tests to find out if the man they plan to marry has a predisposition to cheat. The full report of Walum’s research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.


Look honey, it's not my fault I'm a jerk! It's genetic!!!!
What a bunch of baloney!!!

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