Have Scientists Found 'Virginity Genes'?

Recent studies show that genes can influence the age of first intercourse and first birth by acting on both personality and physical characteristics. So in short, genetic makeup may help to determine when people lose their virginity.

Apparently, these findings matter due to the fact that "people who have sex and babies earlier appear to fare worse educationally and have poorer physical and mental health," says the co-author Ken Ong.

Researchers have previously linked the start of puberty to genetics factors, but Ong said it was not known how genes may affect the timing of first sex and when females first give birth. The new study finds a "moderate genetic component" for both, although not a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Dr. Timothy Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology and director of twin research at Kings College London in England explains, "Our increasing childhood obesity problems are making puberty increasingly early," said Spector, who wasn't involved in the study.

Decades ago, when puberty occurred years later, people tended to have their "First-time" later than now but gave birth later. Ong explains, "In recent years, there is on average nearly 10 years between first sexual intercourse and having your first child," Ong said.

Spector concludes on what the finding mean in day-to-day life. "The main message is that our teenage behaviors are a mix of our genes and environment."

This study is certainly one to take note of. it is very interesting how they were able to take a topic that normally would have nothing to do with genetic and brought light to the important gene factor involved in it. I personally would not full agree with the correlation that were made in regards to sex being related to poverty or lack of education. Sex, I believe is a completely isolated factor to someone's financial status or intelligence.

Virginity and Genetics

        I absolutely believe that losing your virginity is a conscious decision impacted by peer behavior, an individual’s surrounding environment, and their upbringing. I believe there is no way genetics can impact when individuals have sex for the first time. There has been research performed to prove this opinion wrong. Researchers found that differences in DNA can justify as much as a quarter of the variation in the age in which individuals lose their virginity, with other factors (religious beliefs, family background, peer pressure, personality, outer appearance) being the other three quarters. Thirty eight sections of DNA found to affect the age were virginity were genes that drive reproductive biology. These genes usually release sex hormones and even affect the age of puberty. Although genes do affect the release of hormones and the age of puberty, I do not support the research that genes affect the age at which an individual will lose their virginity. I would like to see more research in the topic before accepting or failing to accept the hypothesis.

Genes Can Influence The Age You Lost Your Virginity

Genes may have some influence on the age when you lost your virginity. New research suggest that DNA may account for up to a quarter of the variation, with the other factors being religious beliefs, family upbringing, and peer pressure. John Perry from Cambridge University found 38 sections of DNA that affect the age at which one will first have sex. The main variant was CADM2 which is linked to not only early sex life, but also to risk taking behaviors and having a large number of children. On the flip side, was MSRA, which correlated with having a later start as well as irritability. Ultimately the researchers landed that the age in which one loses their virginity is "one quarter nature, three quarters nuture."

This caught my attention because it took something that really has nothing to do with genetics and showed how genes may play a role. Whether or not one believes this is entirely up to them. Personally, I can't say I am fully behind the results of this study. I mean there may be some correlations, but its hard for me to wrap my head around the fact my genetics played a role in something such as this. I think there are way too many other factors, for example something such as sexual attraction, that contribute to put it on genetics. I will buy that the genetics might play a role in some personality traits, which may in turn lead to losing your virginity at an earlier age; but as far as it having a direct affect I am questionable. In my opinion it remains a decision from person to person, I would really need to see further research on this before I can get behind it.