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The monogamy gene?
This week a new study found that a variant of the gene that the hormone vasopressin influences men's bonding ability.
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Sorry Baby, Monogamy Just isn't in My Genes
Men are more likely to be devoted and loyal husbands when they lack a particular variant of a gene that influences brain activity, researchers announced yesterday -- the first time that science has shown a direct link between a man's genes and his aptitude for monogamy.
The finding is striking because it not only links the gene variant -- which is present in two of every five men -- with the risk of marital discord and divorce, but also appears to predict whether women involved with these men are likely to say their partners are emotionally close and available, or distant and disagreeable. The presence of the gene variant, or allele, also seems predictive of whether men get married or live with women without getting married.
The finding set off a debate about whether people should conduct genetic tests to find out whether potential mates are bad marriage prospects. Several independent scientists called the discovery remarkable and elegant but disagreed over whether such information ought to be used in making personal decisions about love and marriage. Men are more likely to be devoted and loyal husbands when they lack a particular variant of a gene that influences brain activity, res... more -
Study Finds Monogamy Gene in Men
"Men are more likely to be devoted and loyal husbands when they lack a particular variant of a gene that influences brain activity, researchers announced yesterday -- the first time that science has shown a direct link between a man's genes and his aptitude for monogamy.
The finding is striking because it not only links the gene variant -- which is present in two of every five men -- with the risk of marital discord and divorce, but also appears to predict whether women involved with these men are likely to say their partners are emotionally close and available, or distant and disagreeable. The presence of the gene variant, or allele, also seems predictive of whether men get married or live with women without getting married."
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An interesting question raised in this article is whether this will "set off a debate about whether people should conduct genetic tests to find out whether potential mates are bad marriage prospects"?
Maybe such pre-marriage genetics tests will be as regularly accepted in the future as prenuptial agreements are now.
Discrimination or insurance? "Men are more likely to be devoted and loyal husbands when they lack a particular variant of a gene that influences brain activit... more -
Is cheating ever ok?
Greta Christina ponders what situation would make cheating OK, and discusses sexless marriages.
Are you breaking your side of the bargain if you are not having sex with your partner and should you expect them to remain monogamous? Greta Christina ponders what situation would make cheating OK, and discusses sexless marriages. ... more -
Red Cross discrimination
The Red Cross, although a humanitarian organization, continues to openly discriminate against homosexuals and men who sleep with men in their effort to keep the blood supply "safe". Although the guidelines tend to appear quite outdated in today's society, there doesn't seem to be any effort to change or update the current system of blood screening.
Anyone who actively gives blood knows about the barrage of questions that the Red Cross nurses ask during the screening process. These safety measures are delegated by the Food and Drug Administration. Since safety of our blood supply is paramount, this is a necessary precaution. But, out of these questions, one question in particular stands out: "have you had sexual contact with a male, even once, since 1977?"
If you answer "yes" to this question, you will be refused the opportunity to give blood.
The American Red Cross, on their website (under "donor eligibility guidelines") describes these guidelines as "intended to protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patient who will receive the transfusion". The guidelines go on to classify men who sleep with men in the same category of intravenous drug users and people who exchange money for sex, under the heading "HIV/AIDS". This representation alludes to the rumor that gay men and men who sleep with men, along with intravenous drug users and prostitutes are the only persons who can become infected with HIV/AIDS. This is false representation of a safety measure, and propagates the rumor that people in this classification are the only individuals who can contract or spread HIV/AIDS.
These guidelines can be found at: http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,0...
It does not matter to the Red Cross if you are a monogamous gay male in a healthy relationship. It doesn't matter to the Red Cross if you've cheated on your spouse (straight or gay), it doesn't even matter if you've contracted syphilis or gonorrhea (as long as you wait 12 months before donating!)...but it does matter if you have "sex with men", or even fooled around with a man, even once in 30 years.
With all of our scientific knowledge about the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, it seems surprising that the Red Cross would continue to perpetrate false information about Homosexuals and the spread of HIV/AIDS in the name of safety. The Red Cross blames the Food and Drug Administration for this policy, and the FDA blames the Red Cross for not being discriminatory enough in protecting the blood supply. So we are left in a bind of open discrimination by our government and a world health organization.
The Red Cross and the FDA also fail to acknowledge that men (and women) who sleep with many partners are also at a high risk of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS. There is no question in the guidelines reflective of persons who have sexual contact with multiple partners, or persons who have unprotected sexual contact with others, or persons who engage in unsafe sexual practices. These persons, as long as they do not use intravenous drugs, charge for sex, or have sexual contact with men can still donate, and be a "hero".
Although our blood supply organizations should continue to carry out the highest standards of blood safety, the current guidelines must be revised to reflect our modern culture if organizations like the Red Cross intend to promote safety and well being. The truth about HIV/AIDS and other diseases must be reflective of scientific fact, and not old rumors. The truth about the safety of our blood supply is, if you look closely, a half truth riddled with discrimination. The Red Cross, although a humanitarian organization, continues to openly discriminate against homosexuals and men who sleep with men i... more -
If You Never Promise To Be Monogamous, You’ll Never HAVE To Cheat
New York Magazine posted a story on cheating. This is in response to that. I don't know how I feel about the subject. Is it possible to have a long term relationship where cheating never occurs? You tell me... New York Magazine posted a story on cheating. This is in response to that. I don't know how I feel about the subject. Is it pos... more
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Are humans meant to be monogamous?
Oh the age old question.
Same old answer: "I don't think so." (Interesting deviation from usual answer: "A really monogamous animal is a goose - which never mates again even if its mate is killed.")
Same explanations: Only 3-5% of animals are known to form life long "monogamous bonds." People mate for life for the benefit of the children and men are more likely to cheat than women because they have less to lose and want to spread their genes. Blah blah.
What do you think? Oh the age old question. ... more -
"Be warned, you big lounge lizard: it could happen to you"
An interesting article about the philandering ways of many others species. It turns out that humans aren't the only species to punish mates that have strayed... An interesting article about the philandering ways of many others species. It turns out that humans aren't the only species to pu... more
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Monogamy
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Monogamy
