Are you bad at relationships? Blame your DNA
Are you bad at relationships? Blame your DNA
If you’ve ever wondered why you seem to be permanently single while other friends of yours are in a relationship, blame your DNA.
Researchers in Beijing say some people are born with a ‘singleton gene’, and found that those who have it are 20 per cent more likely to be single than others, the Daily Mail reported.
The scientists from Peking University in Beijing tested hair samples from almost 600 Chinese university students to analyse a gene called 5-HTA1, which comes in two versions.
Those with the ‘G’ version were more likely to be single than those with the ‘C” version. Those with the ‘G’, or singleton, version make less serotonin, a brain chemical involved in mood and happiness.
It was already known that people with the ‘G’ allele find it more difficult to get close to others, are more neurotic and more prone to depression.
It seems that this gene affects your ability to maintain a relationship; no matter how sexy or attractive you are to your potential partner.
The researchers summed up their conclusion in the journal Scientific Reports as follows: ‘ As pessimism and neuroticism are detrimental to the formation, quality and stability of relationships, this connection between the G allele and psychological disorders might decrease carriers’ dating opportunities or lead to romantic relationship failure.’
Previous studies have shown that genes play a part in our likelihood of marrying and divorcing and the number of sexual partners we have.
There are other experts who question the importance of genes, believing that we can usually overcome the influence of our genes to form lasting relationships. To support their views they cited the example of identical twins, who usually are attracted to the same type, but end up marrying very different partners.
Considering the research was substantially small it is obvious that there’s need for more research.
