Source: Red Orbit
A Brazilian study has found that people are subconsciously more likely to choose a partner whose genetic make-up is different to their own, further cementing the adage that opposites really do attract, Reuters reported.
Married couples were found to be more likely to have genetic differences in a DNA region governing the immune system than were randomly matched pairs, the researchers said.
Maria da Graca Bicalho and her colleagues at the University of Parana in Brazil reported that this was likely to be an evolutionary strategy to ensure healthy reproduction because genetic variability is an advantage for offspring.
Bicalho said although it may be tempting to think that humans choose their partners because of their similarities, our research has shown clearly that it is differences that make for successful reproduction.
“And that the subconscious drive to have healthy children is important when choosing a mate,” she added.
It is still unknown exactly what signals attract the body to people who are genetically dissimilar to themselves, but scientists suggest body odor or even face structure could play a role.
