Slashdot Mirror
Possible Monogamy Gene Found In People
Calopteryx sends in a New Scientist summary of research from Sweden pointing toward the existence of a gene that influences monogamy in men. (The article doesn't mention women, and the study subjects were all men at least 5 years into a heterosexual relationship.) "There has been speculation about the role of the hormone vasopressin in humans ever since we discovered that variations in where receptors for the hormone are expressed makes prairie voles strictly monogamous but meadow voles promiscuous; vasopressin is related to the 'cuddle chemical' oxytocin. Now it seems variations in a section of the gene coding for a vasopressin receptor in people help to determine whether men are serial commitment-phobes or devoted husbands."
The pussy gene.
If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
Anyone want to start suggesting a relevant text for the update to the americans with disabilities act
Cruise TT
I see a whole brave new world of testing before pre-nuptials . . . But, if I have a defective gene, will that qualify me as handicapped under something like ADA? Will there be a high risk pool that I will be forced to "date" out of? So many questions . . .
Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torment of man. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
which renders someone unable to get any at all.
See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
In the early 60's we got birth control pills, which (some say) facilitated women being promiscuous. Now, we have 'husband control pills'
What happens if we miss a day? Do we take two then next and use alternate husband control methods. -- Sarcasm transmits across TCP/IP as well as it does other media
When confronted by large quantities of beer protein.
Web2.0: I love when people Flickr my cuil and digg my boingboing until my google is reddit and I start to yahoo
In my case, it's a "Martha" that has the greatest influence over my monogamous inclinations.
You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right.
They also found that geeks tended to possess just half of this gene, which researchers postulate may explain their lack of ability to get a girlfriend.
A learning experience is one of those things that say, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that.' - D. Adams
just watch Jeremy Kyle.
Wait until after you've had sex to make that call.
That's not the cuddle chemical we used when I was in college
Now your GF/Wife will want you to take the "Cheating bastard" DNA test too.
If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur. --Red Adair
In our current society, monogamy makes more sense.
Until you see the hot little redhead that just moved in across the street from me. Then polygamy starts looking pretty damn good again.
Does this mean we may be able to finally develop a cure for monogamy?
Will he/she buy that? Maybe there should be a cheater test kit. :)
I've never had the slightest interest in anything except strict monogamy.
You sir, lack imagination.
Prediction: The real iPhone killer is going to be sex robots from Japan. Think about it.
Being polygamous I wonder if I have this gene...hehe I know my wife her girlfriend, and my two other partners don't. ;)
-Ours is the wisdom of Solomon, the magic of Merlyn, the fall of Icaris.
So is "Genetically Monogomous" going to be incorporated into eharmony profiles?
"No matter where you go, there you are." -- Buckaroo Banzai
This is slashdot. Which means that a lot of those non-polys ain't mono, they're zippo.
If I had one of those monogamy genes, I'd want to help it thrive - so I'd go find a bunch o' girls and get 'em pregnant...
Bow-ties are cool.
Scientific study has now shown that people are likely gay from the time they're born due to differences in brain structure.
Science has discovered that Toxoplasmosis makes women more promiscuous and men more foolish.
Through statistical surveys we know that a vast number of people suffer from addiction, organic maladies, and depression.
Now through the science of genetics we are able to see a correlation suggesting why some humans may desire to be more liberal in the distribution of their DNA.
I find it amazing all the factors that go into making humans be who they are, to make and accept the choices they do, and how much of it is determined by prior conditions. As human nature is being illuminated by science, I find it deepens my appreciation of this human condition, to realize the aspects of our nature that we have to work with, and how one part of us can want to stay committed to one path but be struggling with other aspects of our nature that draw us elsewhere.
And so it also strikes me how much the imagination plays a part in outlining the whole human experience and determining whether we overcome our sometimes outmoded natural impulses.
-- thinkyhead software and media
Why would a man not screw around as much as possible?
In short, because our young are vulnerable after birth, require a fairly large energy investment, and are few in number.
As a new father I have to say I concur! Well that, and the fact that my wife's got a black belt in Karate.
(I kid, though she does really have a black belt)
These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer