Gene, behavior link getting out of hand

An old saying goes: “Once a cheater, always a cheater.” Could this idea have some scientific legitimacy? Some Swedish researchers think so.

In a recent study, researchers say they believe they have found that the ability for men to commit to their partners may be partly determined by their genes.

According to USA Today, researchers found that men who carry one or two copies of a variant gene that is linked to the hormone vasopressin, tend to act differently in relationships than men who do not have the variant.

The study also found that the men who had two of the copies of the variant gene were twice as likely to have had relationship issues within the last year in comparison with the men who did not have the variant gene.

Will partners find this new discovery an excuse for their man’s lack of commitment? I certainly hope not.

Despite genetic make-up, people should be expected to account for their own actions—especially infidelity. The moment people start shirking off their responsibilities to act decently because of predetermined genes is the moment that science has stopped bettering mankind.

I’m starting to fear what else science will discover in regards to genes linked with behaviors. Will I inherit my dad’s annoying habit of perpetual lateness? Or my mom’s mild road rage?

Some might argue that men are predisposed to being unfaithful because of the evolutionary idea that they can spread their seeds more if they have children with more women. This idea just chalks up bad behavior to biology, taking out the whole responsibility thing.

This new discovery makes me wonder if certain men in my life have copies of this gene variant. It’s interesting to imagine a ‘Gattaca’-like society in which men are required to undergo genetic testing to see if they have the gene. Perhaps science could help save a lot of hearts from being broken.

However, just because a man has the gene variant doesn’t mean that he’ll cheat. There are many reasons that relationships deteriorate. His partner could be annoying. Or a cheater. Or maybe they just aren’t compatible. It’s too bad the recent research hasn’t brought up that point, because it’s something that many people tend to forget.

As science delves deeper into the human genome, more links to behavior will be discovered. Let’s just hope they don’t discover a gene that proves men are less emotional than women, or we’ll all be in trouble.