genetics

Science Knows Why You’re A Slut: It’s In Your Genes

Why, oh why, are you completely unable to hold down a monogamous relationship? Blame your ancestors, says science.

Described as a “first-of-its-kind study,” researchers led by Justin Garcia, a evolutionary anthropology and health fellow at SUNY Binghamton, found the dopamine receptor D4 polymorphism,, which is already tied to alcohol and gambling addictions, is responsible for many folks’ thirst for sex, reports Newswise.

“What we found was that individuals with a certain variant of the DRD4 gene were more likely to have a history of uncommitted sex, including one-night stands and acts of infidelity,” said Garcia. “The motivation seems to stem from a system of pleasure and reward, which is where the release of dopamine comes in. In cases of uncommitted sex, the risks are high, the rewards substantial and the motivation variable – all elements that ensure a dopamine ‘rush.’”

According to Garcia, these results provide some of the first biological evidence that at first glance, seems to be somewhat of a contradiction: that individuals could be looking for a serious committed long-term relationship, but have a history of one-night stands. At the same time, the data also suggests it is also reasonable that someone could be wildly in love with their partner, commit infidelity, and yet still be deeply attached and care for their partner. It all came back to a DRD4 variation in these individuals. Individual differences in the internal drive for a dopamine ‘rush’ can function independently from the drive for commitment.

So can David Duchovny — and, depending on whose version of events you believe, Reichen Lehmkuhl — just blame bad genes, like the way I do for not having a singing voice? No, insists the smartypants.

“The study doesn’t let transgressors off the hook,” said Garcia. “These relationships are associative, which means that not everyone with this genotype will have one-night stands or commit infidelity. Indeed, many people without this genotype still have one-night stands and commit infidelity. The study merely suggests that a much higher proportion of those with this genetic type are likely to engage in these behaviors.”

If science can’t locate the gay gene, at least they’ve found the slut gene. Who needs some arsenic-loving bacteria when you’ve got that discovery?

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