Is Cheating Genetic?: Tweeters Sound Off

In her Huffington Post blog post on Wednesday, Vicki Larson looked at the science of love and questioned whether infidelity might be genetic. "When it comes to matters of the heart," she wrote, "love has less to do with the heart and more to do with the brain."

Indeed, researchers at the State University of New York have suggested that individuals with a certain variant of the DRD4 gene are more likely to cheat and have one-night stands.

So are some of us simply hard-wired to cheat? We posed the hot-button question to the Twitterverse. Below, some of our favorite responses.

Comments

[rjsparling]

12:38 AM on 02/25/2012

Asking twitter posters their opinion of genetics? Why not ask scientists?

[CSNC]

11:48 PM on 02/03/2012

"Are We Predisposed To Cheat? Tweeters Sound Off"

Yes, when nagging increases and sex decreases.

H

[1717]

12:41 PM on 02/03/2012

If someone wants to sleep with multiple people, go for it - but why do you have to drag someone along for the ride who wants monogamy in their relationship? If you want to cheat, it's time to be a grown up, end the relationship and go get your jollies.

[Mr Anonymous]

10:08 PM on 02/02/2012

I didn't realize that making a conscious decision was genetic. I wonder what numerous things I've chosen to do in my life, because of my ancestors.

[tjamman]

08:34 PM on 02/02/2012

How about being HONEST and telling your spouse you are likely to, or thinking about "cheating"?

In any event HONESTY means you are not cheating!!!

HOWEVER, given our cultural BRAINWASHING, we INSIST on our partner only wanting ONE person ever again in life.
If one partner EVER indicates to the other monogamy insistent partner a desire to act upon, or be HONEST about this desire, the deal is OFF.
Divorce courts favor the monogamy minded unproven cheater.

So guess what?
Non-monogamy minded partner LIES for the sake of sexual access to (and marital benefit with) the other partner.
Lies to him/herself.
Lies to the other partner.

Forced to LIE to engage in a sexual/marital relationship, "cheating" is simply a by product of the deception the couple 'agrees' to.

And WOMEN!!
Don't EVEN go there.
WOMEN are by far the BEST cheaters!

Not complaining!
Au contraire...
Thank YOU cheating females, for all the joy you have brought me!

[Leonardo Gomes]

08:04 PM on 02/02/2012

I remember when everyone had a choice. Next time i don't do or do something I'll simply say it's genetic.