Promiscuity Alters DNA and Boosts Immunity In Mice

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Promiscuity Alters DNA and Boosts Immunity In Mice

Posted by timothy on Saturday September 1, 2012 @06:48AM from the now-that's-a-pickup dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley found that promiscuous mice have significantly stronger immune systems than monogamous mice, suggesting that promiscuous mice may have developed more robust immunity to protect them against the disease-causing bacteria they are exposed to from mating with multiple partners."

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Re:Ha by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2012-09-01 06:59 · Score: 3, Interesting

The same approach in the medieval times meant (as the medical scientists speculate) fewer allergies, but at the cost of more child burials. Hardly a good trade-off, don't you think? Or another take on the same topic: more terrorists in streets sweeping innocent citizens with firearms would be better for the general public because the end result would be a greater number of proficient self-defense shooters. Somehow the real benefits elude me.

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Ezekiel 23:20
Alters DNA? by Mithent · 2012-09-01 07:01 · Score: 5, Informative

"Promiscuity Alters DNA" makes it sound like promiscuity directly causes mutations. It seems, rather, that it results in greater variation in vaginal bacteria, a state which creates selective pressure favouring increased diversity in genes involved in the functioning of the immune system... which isn't quite the same thing.
1. Re:Alters DNA? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-01 07:12 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  In other words : promiscuous mice are more likely to get infected, and as such, the ones with a bad immune system died out, leaving only the mice with a stronger immune system.
  Since other mice were not influenced by this specific natural selection, they are less immune.
Re:Ha by Metsys · 2012-09-01 07:01 · Score: 3, Funny

Also mice don't have to pay child support.
I bet it's not about the encounters by Qbertino · 2012-09-01 07:02 · Score: 4, Interesting

I bet it's not about the encounters but all about the lesser sexual stress/frustration. I'd argue it's the same with humans, to a certain degree. Mostly men, but women too. Unsafe sex endangers your health, but a solid amount of safe sex is likely to be good for health. That would be my theory at least.
The negative influence that sexual frustration has on ones health is vastly underestimated, I've come to believe. Especially since I've experienced what positive effects a healthy sex life can have.
My 2 cents.

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We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca
1. Re:I bet it's not about the encounters by Tenebrousedge · 2012-09-01 14:06 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Whatever Carter's faults, he paved the way for the revival of the American brewing industry. Here's a joke you haven't heard for decades:
  Why is American beer like having sex in a canoe?
  They're both fucking close to water.
  Imagine a world where the only options are Budweiser, Coors, or Miller. Terrible! Yet it existed. Carter legalized home brewing, which led to the resurgence of microbreweries that we tipplers currently enjoy. So if you'll excuse me, I will raise a glass to the continued health of Mr. Carter and the American beer industry!
  
  --
  Those who advocate genocide deserve every protection afforded by law, and none afforded by common human decency.
My wife is never sick... by dargaud · 2012-09-01 07:07 · Score: 4, Funny

...hope that's the classic correlation is not causation...

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Non-Linux Penguins ?
Re:Ha by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2012-09-01 07:46 · Score: 3, Funny

No, but promiscuous mice are more likely to spend more of their income on blue cheese movies. Although, on second thought, that would probably serve to make them even happier.

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Ezekiel 23:20