Some men carry 'commitment-phobia' gene

[Refugee 7]

Forget the prenup. Couples pondering whether to tie the knot should proceed straight to gene testing.

Well, that's one conclusion you can draw from a study in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Researchers at the Karolinksa Institute in Sweden examined a gene allele 334 in people enrolled in the Twin and Offspring Study in Sweden. This gene can affect the production of a hormone called vasopressin, which has been shown to influence monogamy in animals. They found that men who had two copies of allele 334 were twice as likely to have had a marital or relationship crisis in the last year compared with those who lacked the gene variant.

These men seemed less able to bond with their partners, says lead author Hasse Walum, a postgraduate student in medical epidemiology and biostatistics. "Women married to men who carry one or two copies of allele 334 were, on average, less satisfied with their relationships than women married to men who didn't carry this allele.

But, men, if you're tempted to use genes as an excuse for bad behavior, forget about it. Walum notes that though the study may shed some light on the genetic underpinnings of human bonding, "there are, of course, many reasons why a person might have relationship problems."

Walum's research is aimed at improving the understanding of vasopressin and its role in disorders such as autism and social phobia.

[Echosoftom 3]

More research study hogwash! :icon_rolleyes:

[agirl 0]

Like they needed a study to tell us that, lol.

[Pettyjunkie 0]

^lol!

Yeah, whatever!

[KansasPettyFan 1]

Then the fool cheater can say, "I can't help it, it's in my genes."

[Beamish 0]

I love the whole "quote one study to excuse male infidelity, but overlook all the studies showing women don't always want to monogamous, either" song and dance I often see in the media.

I'm genetically lazy, but still get my ass to work everyday regardless of always having had a night-owl sleep pattern. Just because something is genetic doesn't mean you can't learn to compensate for it if it's important enough to you.

[Katie 0]

Well, that's nice men, but I'm pretty sure I have the "you-even-THINK-of-cheating-and-I-kick-you-ass-to-the-curb-so-fast-you-get-whiplash Gene". I know, I know, I shouldn't use genes as an excuse, but I can't help it, it's just who I am!

[Beamish 0]

^ Mwahahaha !

[Echosoftom 3]

Katie, LMAO!

[surfnburn 5]

LOL Katie!

The people I know with commitment issues have clear understanding of martial problems because of their parents. It was a learned thing. Their parents had bad marriages; and they don't want to repeat their parent's mistakes. It's a argument for divorce, I think. That complicates the genetic argument...lol

Edited September 6, 2008 by surfnburn

[wild1forever 152]

Like they needed a study to tell us that, lol.

:icon_laugh: