Tech | December 02, 2010 | 12 comments

Do you have the "slut" gene?

You like having one-night stands? A quickie in the loos on your lunch break, or a sneaky behind-the-back sh*g whilst your partner is away? Well we bet your mum does too, and more importantly so does the scientist who have found a gene that is linked to promiscuity and uncommitted sex.

According to research by Justin Garcia, of Binghamton University, State University of New York, the dopamine receptor gene DRD4 is connected to promiscuous behaviour, and people with the gene "were more likely to have a history of uncommitted sex, including one-night stands and acts of infidelity."

The motivation to have no-strings attached frolics stem from a system of pleasure and reward and is related to the release of dopamine.

"In cases of uncommitted sex, the risks are high, the rewards substantial and the motivation variable — all elements that ensure a dopamine 'rush,'" said Garcia.

People with the thrill-seeking gene variant were about twice as likely to report a history of one-night stands as those without the gene variant. Half of those with a love of risk imprinted in their DNA reported committing infidelity in the past, compared with 22 per cent of those without the variant.

But don't think that you can officially blame being a slut just because nature made you this way.

"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 behaviours."

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    Community,   News and Politics,   Tech,   Culture,   17 more
  2. tags:
    Sex and Love,  DNA,  One Night Stand,  dopamine,  5 more
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