Researchers compared gene variations between nearly 2000 people who were not biologically related and found that friends had more gene variations in common than strangers did. This study may lend validity to sayings like, "Friends are the family we choose."
The researchers conducted this study because they wanted to provide information on the evolutionary origins and significance of human friendships.
After analyzing about 1.5 million gene variation markers, the scientists found that many pairs of friends had the same amount of biological (genetic) relation as one would have to a fourth cousin or to a three times great grandparent.The most common gene shared is the olfactory (sense of smell) gene. This article even suggests that being drawn to certain smells determined where people spent time, and therefore who they formed friendships with.
This article was so interesting because it is just another example of how directly our genes affect our lives. Our genes affect our preferences, likes and dislikes which in turn affects who we form relationships with. To think that we are closer genetically to our friends than to a great great great grandparent is odd to think about but is also fascinating.
Article: http://www.livescience.com/46791-friends-share-genes.html
It's interesting to read that you can be connected to your friends and find them more compatible because of genes. The fact that genes can affect our preferences in certain people and who we like and dislike is very interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting to read because I would never think we have genetic similarities with our friends. The fact that our genes affects not just the way we look or how our body works, but who we also form friendships with is so fascinating to me. I would personally like to see more research done on this study.
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