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Genetic Studies Prove Cuckolded Fathers Are Rare In Human Populations
HughPickens.com writes: A common urban myth is that many fathers are cuckolded into raising children that genetically are not their own -- a fear fueled by the paternity tests that have become a standard staple of gossip magazines, talk shows, and TV series. Now, Carl Zimmer reports at the New York Times that our obsession with cuckolded fathers is seriously overblown as a number of recent genetic studies have challenged the notion that mistaken paternity is commonplace. It wasn't until DNA sequencing emerged in the 1990s that paternity tests earned the legal system's confidence. Labs were able to compare DNA markers in children to those of their purported fathers to see if they matched. As the lab tests piled up, researchers collated the results and came to a startling conclusion: 10 percent to 30 percent of the tested men were not the biological fathers of their children. There's only one problem with these previous studies: the results didn't come from a random sample of people. The people who ordered the tests already had reason to doubt paternity.
In a 2013 study, Dr. Maarten H.D. Larmuseau used Belgium's detailed birth records to reconstruct large family genealogies reaching back four centuries. Then the scientists tracked down living male descendants and asked to sequence their Y chromosomes. Y chromosomes are passed down in almost identical form from fathers to sons. Men who are related to the same male ancestor should also share his Y chromosome, providing that some unknown father didn't introduce his own Y [chromosome] somewhere along the way. Comparing the chromosomes of living related men, Larmuseau came up with a cuckoldry rate of less than 1 percent. Similar studies have generally produced the same low results in such countries as Spain, Italy and Germany, as well as agricultural villages in Mali. "The observed low EPP rates challenge the idea that women routinely 'shop around' for good genes by engaging in extra-pair copulations," concludes Larmuseau . "The (potential) genetic benefits of extra-pair children are unlikely to be offset by the (potential) costs of being caught, particularly in such a long-lived species as humans with heavy offspring dependence and massive parental investment."
In a 2013 study, Dr. Maarten H.D. Larmuseau used Belgium's detailed birth records to reconstruct large family genealogies reaching back four centuries. Then the scientists tracked down living male descendants and asked to sequence their Y chromosomes. Y chromosomes are passed down in almost identical form from fathers to sons. Men who are related to the same male ancestor should also share his Y chromosome, providing that some unknown father didn't introduce his own Y [chromosome] somewhere along the way. Comparing the chromosomes of living related men, Larmuseau came up with a cuckoldry rate of less than 1 percent. Similar studies have generally produced the same low results in such countries as Spain, Italy and Germany, as well as agricultural villages in Mali. "The observed low EPP rates challenge the idea that women routinely 'shop around' for good genes by engaging in extra-pair copulations," concludes Larmuseau . "The (potential) genetic benefits of extra-pair children are unlikely to be offset by the (potential) costs of being caught, particularly in such a long-lived species as humans with heavy offspring dependence and massive parental investment."
They have kids with the high testosterone alpha males, and then some of them go on to do menial work, turn out to be aggressive, or they simply grow tired of each other after some years. But their first choice is usually some animalistic notion of "good genes".
And then later when they're older and wiser they marry the type of beta male they had friendzoned before, because they're more peaceful, less risk-taking and often smarter and more successul.
Read: Shadows of Our Forgotten Ancestors, by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan.
While that is idealistic and noble you will find that the vast majority of people care very much so. The thought of raising someone else's child typically has associations of infidelity. Society in general is monogamous even if most humans do cheat on a partners at least once at some point in life.
Perhaps all genetics have "bugs" yours might not be worse than the unknown and there is an advantage of knowing about such "bugs". Even if yours are severe the adopted might be worse. No real guarantees.
I believe that from inception humans are born to compete. To be better. From the fertilization of an egg to achieving anything in life. Sure there is a lot of bias and corruption and some unworthy humans have a head start in a position of privilege that it seems plain unfair.
So most humans, as vessels for our genes are often very precious about us and what is our and of our own. The way you live, where you live, who your parents and grandparents are (genetically) shapes you as a person and your offspring.
There are particular sets of difficulties when a child is known to be of a different parent. From social stigma to tendencies to biological/genetic differences that one parent's ego can find extremely challenging.
While many women would choose to adopt, especially if they cannot have children of their own many men will give serious consideration to changing their to one that is fertile rather than adopt or at least have a surrogate mother as they want the child's gene to be of their own.
We are not in the group because we love the group. We are in the group because we love ourselves. The group helps protect us, has economies of scale and sense of community. We would save our children first and foremost.
While you may not care and I applaud you for the often believed enlightened position I care. I believe the vast majority of people care.
A 'singular oddity' is an event that cannot be explained and only happens when you are alone.
Wow. I hope you have zero children in real life. You would be a disaster to society.
That is incorrect. Paternity testing is legal in France. Permission must be obtained from the person being tested (or their parent in the case of a child), or it can be forced via court order. So the only real difference is that you can't legally just grab some hair follicle off your partner's hairbrush and get them tested without their knowledge or consent.
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SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
In the grand scope of things, your DNA is basically diluted to nothing after a couple of generations.
The ideas and values you imprint on the kids you raise have a much greater chance of surviving and creating a legacy for you.
In the grand scope of things your ideas and values are also diluted to nothing in a few generations as well. The ideas and values of the society you live in probably have a much greater effect than you do on your great grand children and you can forget about much beyond that. But it doesn't really matter, unless you're someone especially famous (like king tut or a president), you'll be completely forgotten in about 5 generations and even if you are someone famous, you're still stuck on this little blue dot that is going nowhere fast and everything you are will disappear into nothingness and the universe doesn't care.
The posting was misleading. Paternity testing is not illegal in France, but it's regulated and needs either the consent of both (presumed) parents or a court order (which seems to be the same as where I am, in the UK). If there's a dispute over child support payments then a court order would be the way to go.
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