MAR 14, 2016 6:03 PM PDT

Maybe Monogamy Isn't For Humans After All

WRITTEN BY: Kara Marker

Although "I couldn't help it - I had a biological predisposition to cheat" might not be an acceptable excuse for your partner, scientists do believe that there is an ancient adaptive reason to have multiple sexual partners. In fact, a Swedish study of 552 men has pinpointed a potential set of genes in the vasopressin system that could predict how likely someone is to be an adulterer.

For men, the motivation is to double the amount of your DNA that is spreading into the next generation and potentially generations to come. For women, having children with an additional man means extra protection for herself and her children, even providing insurance if her primary partner dies.
About the Author
Master's (MA/MS/Other)
I am a scientific journalist and enthusiast, especially in the realm of biomedicine. I am passionate about conveying the truth in scientific phenomena and subsequently improving health and public awareness. Sometimes scientific research needs a translator to effectively communicate the scientific jargon present in significant findings. I plan to be that translating communicator, and I hope to decrease the spread of misrepresented scientific phenomena! Check out my science blog: ScienceKara.com.
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