Relationship problems? Blame your mans genes. According to scientists at Karolinska Institute there is a link between a gene and the way men bond to their partners. Hassa Walum a post graduate from the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics says that they have found a link between a genetic variation and the way men act in relationships towards their partners.
The studied gene codes for one of the receptors for vasopressin. This hormone is found in the brains of most mammals, and has been shown that men in particular carry one or two copies of this gene.
Men who carry the allele 334, behave differently in relationships then those who lack it. This allele is linked to how strong a bond a man feels towards his partner. Men whom had two copies of the allele were twice as likely to have a marital or relationship crisis, then those that lacked it.
The gene variant not only shows evidence in the way men act in the relationship but also its effects on their partners. Women in relationships with men carrying two copies of this allele were statistically more unhappy in their relationship then those in relationships with men that lacked the allele completely.
The main science behind this gene is not entirely relationship based but more so focused on how allele 334 affects the behavior in individuals. This allele is important to understanding bonds between individuals. Greater knowledge on the effects of vasopressin on human relations, could give scientists a better understanding of diseases effecting social interactions such as autism.
Wow, this article explains a lot. This seem really interesting. I had no idea there were actually genes that cause relationship issues between men and their partners. It is interesting that studies have shown that women who are married to men who carry allele 334 are more likely to be less satisfied with their partners because of the allele causing disturbances in men who are in relationships.
ReplyDeleteThis is a truly fascinating area of study to me. You would think that due to natural selection, this gene would simply be bred out of the population. Unfortunately, due to the nature of relationships, it's probably being bred in more. I'd like to know what led the researcher to begin testing for this trait in relation to the vasopressin, however. How do we know that it isn't simply a random male allele and guys just do that? Sure it's twice as much but I'd want to know more about how they came to this experiment. If it is true, then the implications for relationship forming are limitless. I like how they made the jump from an inability of men to form strong bonds and autism. Perhaps this is a result of some environmental effect on genes if it is not being bred into the population selectively. That could explain the sudden boom in autistic cases as well. Maybe if we can figure out the mechanism with the vasopressin, we can figure out the environmental thing that's affecting the gene expression.
ReplyDeleteHmm Growing up it was always "The way a man treats his mother is the way he will treat his woman", I guess that's not true. I really like this article. I just wonder how it would pan out in the situation of identical twins boys or fraternal twin boys.
ReplyDeletewow, this is incredible. Who would of thought to due a genetics study linked to cheating. It's truly fascinating in what science is able to determine today. Before you know it, men will be determined if they are suitable for marriage according to their genes.
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