Sorry darling, it was the DRD4 gene what done it!

Scientists have found the infidelity gene. So can we really blame promiscuous sexual behaviour on our genetic makeup?

Some of us are genetically wired to cheat, according to New York sexual science researcher Justin Garcia.

We all have the so-called "promiscuity" or "cheating gene," said Garcia in a phone interview from New York's Binghamton University.

Garcia's study discovered that variations in the DRD4 gene (that's the gene that drives pleasure, risk-taking and thrill-seeking behaviour), also affects uncommitted sexual behaviour.

"The DRD4 gene, which affects the dopamine receptors in the brain, is important for pleasure and reward," said Garcia. "It goes off when you jump out of an airplane, engage in sexual behaviour, drink alcohol and gamble."

Like genes that govern height, said Garcia, certain variants or mutations will affect how the so-called "infidelity" gene expresses itself.

If you carry a certain variant of the gene, he said, you might be predisposed to repetitive, intense sexual sensation-seeking: one-night stands and infidelity.

"Whereas some people might jump out of a plane and say, 'Wow, that was great,' another person might skydive, land and say, 'Hey, I want to go up again!' "

Garcia identified the gene variant through the study of the DNA and behaviour of 181 sexually active young adults.

Garcia said there is a strong correlation between pleasure and reward for dopamine addicts and risk-takers: uncommitted sex and one-night stands fit the high-risk/high-reward structure that results in the pleasurable, addictive dopamine rush.

Some thrill-seekers need more sensation to get the same rush.

Is there really a biological excuse? (Honey, it's not really my fault, it's just my DRD4 gene acting out!)

Garcia believes "our big brains" and environment contradict a scientific excuse for bad behaviour -- and he's not thrilled that the blogosphere has leaped on his research, labelling DRD4 the "slut gene."

"We can have these genes that predispose us to certain kinds of behaviour. We can also modify our behaviour," said Garcia.

SFU biologist Dr. Bernard Crespi cautioned, "We must be very careful about saying forms of this gene determine behaviour in any way."

Crespi points out that although genetic determinism is popular, "if the environment is different, the expression of the gene is different."

For example, he said if you identified children with a certain gene variant, taught them about the risks of impulsive behaviour, and studied them a decade later, you might have a very different outcome because you've changed the environment.

In fact, at one time, there could have been an evolutionary advantage to having risk-taking, impulsivity and hypersexuality in the gene pool -- even if you might not want that person as a husband or wife now. "The expectation is that if a gene variant is bad, natural selection would have got rid of it. There may be some trade-offs."

So is the infidelity gene good, even if it gives you a bad reputation?

Not necessarily.

Crespi said, "The environment is so different now, the original situation in which the gene variant was useful may no longer be applicable."

He cites the popular example of the people who are capable of loading on the fat: "In the old days of famine and starvation, people who put on more fat were favoured. It was a good gene back then. It's not a good gene now."

Garcia said the discovery sheds new light on the mystery of human sexuality and it's important to stay away from "facile generalizations" about the meaning of the research.

"This isn't an excuse, and it doesn't give you free rein, but it does help explain how this behaviour is motivated," said Garcia.

"The systems involved in motivating this behaviour are different than those governing romance and attachment."

The reality is, said Garcia, if you are in a relationship and your partner strays, it may be true when they say they still love you and want to stay committed.

Nonetheless, added Garcia, "There are always other issues at play in relationships, and particularly with infidelity, it's devastating because you lose trust, and so knowing this doesn't really help."

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Cheating+gene+discovery+sheds+light+human+sexuality/3928232/story.html#ixzz1EaAV1P8q

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