Nicklas Johnson · morons.org - A Cheating Heart...or Brain?

Reader-Submitted: A Cheating Heart...or Brain?

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Monogamy may be traced to a gene.
Posted by intrigued Aeryl on Jun. 22, 2004 13:02 UTC
21 comments from readers. Join the discussion!

Emory University scientists may have tracked a man's cheating heart to a neurological level. Using rodents, prairie voles, who are monogamous, and meadow voles, who are polygamous, they tracked the differences in brain chemistry. After discovering that a set of receptors were missing from the meadow voles, they used a gene to create voles with those receptors and they began behaving like prairie voles.

Now, the discussion of practical application of this, is still years away, so ladies don't plan for vasopression receptor implants for your guy anytime soon, but it did bring up an interesting point, one I am sure will be lost on every fundie on the planet.

If scientists can determine genes and naturally occuring brain chemistry that make men(and women) more likely to cheat on loved ones, why is it so far out of the realm of possibility that a gene may designate whether people are gay or straight or bi. How can people be so sure, so quick to fling fire and brimstone on fellow human beings, when we as human have only begun to understand the complicated construct the is the human body. Is it because the have faith in God? I have faith in a God and a Goddess and that has not driven me to be an ignorant sciencephobic fool. I accept that the planet is billions of years old, and was probably created by the Big Bang, rather than as the traditional story of my religion, which holds forth that the Goddess pushed the Earth out her vagina.

It is perfectly rational to do that, to believe the words of men who studied their field for years, other than some people who existed thousands of years ago with no logical way to explain the things around them. But, that time is past, if you want to continue to believe that God created the planet in seven days, fine do that, but I would ask for my science back. If you cannot acept the irrefutable proof of science, then IMO you do not have the capacity to operate a light switch, or any thing else on this planet that science has given us.

I still do not know why several God-driven people continue to deny science, and hold no room for truth in their life. Is it that they believe that Jesus wants them to remain ignorant? Is that why these people so easily believe things that many politicians say, because they continue to deny the truth?

PS. Yes I know I repeatedly made remarks about cheating men:) It is only the interior man hater coming out, don't take heart, I know women cheat as much (if not more) as men do.

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Posted by Robguy from Madison, WI on Jun. 22, 2004 13:18

I realize I'm plotting the distruction of the family and civilization and stuff - but I think it would be great if some people realized they were not built to be monogamous and would deal with it honestly rather than promise, marry, and lie to their spouse.

I was talking with someone the other day about monogamy being genetic. In one family that I'm aware of, it definately seems to be passed on. The mother and all the children have extramarital affairs, only one of them has been divorced.

Of course the science of it makes me think of Gattaca, where people would sneak samples of their dates to be tested to see if they were a good match. Before I say "I do", I want to see if you are genetically predisposed to honoring your vows. :)

Bork: While I respect your view and even agree with it to some extent... I can only...

Robguy: Well I don't mean to imply that a genetic predisposition can't be overcome....

peter: Intriguing that you seem to take for granted that monogamy is the standard and...

Bork: Well I may have come off that way, but it wasn't my intent to nor the way I...

Posted by XXX-Patriot from Washington, DC on Jun. 22, 2004 13:55

I've suspected this since freshman Biology & Behavior.

Most biologists classify man as a New World (tailless) Ape. Gorillas and chimpanzees (both common and Bonobo) are also in this classification. Neither of these apes are monogamous. Chances are humans weren't geared to be either.

As any other animal, our main 'biological goal' is to perpetuate the species. If the male wants to ensure his genes are passed along, mating with one person ONLY is a poor way to that end. It's just not biologically efficient. A male can impregnate multiple women over a course of time without taking to much energy from himself. The female, on the other hand, has to invest much more in to becoming pregnant. It doesn't make them any mor monagamous. It certainly makes them a bit more selective.

Monogamy is the precursor to marriage. The church would have you believe that marriage (monogamy) is one of the many things that separate us from the animals.

Way I see it, humans are nothing but a bunch of hairless/tailless monkeys with a larger than average brain.

Read Jared Diamond's book 'The Third Chimpanzee'. A superb read.

tnprimate: Just a few things i wanted to point out. first, we are not "New World" apes and...

Posted by High School RPG on Jun. 22, 2004 14:20

"...rather than as the traditional story of my religion, which holds forth that the Goddess pushed the Earth out her vagina."

Not to sound ignorant or anything, but what religon is that? O.o;

Possibly a Bedwetter, Not a Pansy: Sounds like your standard Wicca, although I could be mistaken.

Aeryl: Yes, Wicca, that is the story from Buckland's book, there are several other...

Gabu: If that really happened, then I'd say that the Goddess is a candidate for a...

Posted by Corey from Chicago on Jun. 22, 2004 15:50

I rely on good old fashioned fear to keep me in line. I know my wife would give me a Bobbit...

Posted by Kenster999 on Jun. 22, 2004 15:57

How can people be so sure, so quick to fling fire and brimstone on fellow human beings, when we as human have only begun to understand the complicated construct the is the human body. Is it because the have faith in God?

Yes, I think that's a good part of the reason. They believe two things: (1) that the Bible is the literal, true word of God; and (2) the Bible says homosexuality is wrong.

For most of these people, getting them to no longer agree to #1 would be way too threatening to their world view. I think an easier tack is getting them to change their minds on #2, although that can difficult as well.

feh: Well only certain groups believe that the bible is literally true. Do not...

Kenster999: Agreed on all points. I was just trying to explain how fundies reach their...

Confused: You don't think so, but the fundies do. Unfortunately.

Posted by Kate on Jun. 22, 2004 21:53

interesting article-this could also be related to asexuality as well

Posted by aeduna from Australia on Jun. 22, 2004 23:41

I think simplifying it to genes is a bit much, although I'm willing to entertain the idea that they slant you one way or another. Biologically, hormones seems to have a muuuuch bigger effect second by second on the way people behave.

When it comes to humans and polygamy though, i think that societal programming is currently the #1 weird affect on people.

Posted by Ajax from Washington D.C. on Jun. 23, 2004 02:56

"How can people be so sure, so quick to fling fire and brimstone on fellow human beings, when we as human have only begun to understand the complicated construct the is the human body." Quite simply, because they are hateful bastards. They use their religion as an excuse, as a society sponsored 'get out of jail free' pass that allows them to hate and spew vitriol and ignorance, and take no responsibility for it.

Posted by peter from Chicago on Jun. 23, 2004 07:28

Just one point, probably nit-picky.

You ask whether this sort of study could lead people to understand that there is a "possibility that a gene may designate whether people are gay or straight or bi."

I think, given the very wide range of behaviors and other characteristics invoved in being gay, that it is highly unlikely that there is "a gene" that creates it. I think it is absolutely true that there is a genetic basis for homosexuality, but that eventually, it will be understood that there are a lot of different combinations of genes that make it show up.

Your monogamy point is probably an even better pointer to that. There may be independent genetic predispositions toward being a top or bottom, being butch or femme, being exclusively gay or being bi, et cetera.

Of course, we will never see any of that sort of research until the science can be separated from the politics and religion that get in its way.

Posted by Pansy Bedwetter on Jun. 23, 2004 13:21

hi