dna

If you've ever blamed a cheating spouse's nether regions for his infidelities, new research has proven that his brain is actually what's to blame. Swedish scientists have found that men who carry a specific gene variant called allele — which is present in two of every five men — are more likely to experience marital problems and divorce than those who lack this particular variant of a gene. This study also states the following:

Men with two copies of the allele had twice the risk of experiencing marital dysfunction, with a threat of divorce during the last year, compared to men carrying one or no copies. Women married to men with one or two copies of the allele scored lower on average on how satisfied they were with the relationship compared to women married to men with no copies.

As you can see, infidelity is not a simple choice like so many people believe. As funny as it may sound, these findings have actually fueled a debate as to whether or not men should get tested for this gene before walking down the aisle. On the other hand, Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist at Rutgers University feels that knowing if you have a weak link makes it easier to overcome. For instance, a man who knows he has the allele might be able to ignore the tugs of restlessness he might feel in his relationship and say, "Oh, it is just my DNA, and I am going to ignore it."

Pretty interesting information, huh! If you're single, would you want your future significant other to take a DNA test for this gene? What are your thoughts on this new finding?

Source

Nope, your browser hasn't crashed back to 1996 — the Boulder, CO, district attorney has just announced that new DNA tests have cleared JonBenet Ramsey's entire family in the killing of the 6-year-old beauty queen, 12 years ago.

The tests point to an "unexplained third party" as the culprit in the crime from DNA left behind in skin cells, one who is presumably still at large.

It's been confirmed that prosecutors no longer consider any member of the Ramsey family to be a suspect, though for years her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, were thought to be under an "umbrella of suspicion" in the girl's slaying.

For this the DA apologized, saying, "To the extent that this office has added to the distress suffered by the Ramsey family at any time or to any degree, I offer my deepest apology."

Throughout the unsolved murder saga, with suspicion cast on the family, and John Mark Karr inexplicably and falsely confessing to the crime, father John Ramsey has maintained all along that he believes the case will be solved. JonBenet's mother Patsy Ramsey died in 2006 of ovarian cancer at the age of 49.

Considering this new information and the botched initial investigation, will we ever know who killed JonBenet?

Source

Genetic discrimination is one form of discrimination the US Senate can agree to disagree with. The Senate has unanimously passed a preemptive anti-discrimination bill, which will prevent employers, unions, and health insurance companies from discriminating using genetic information. Only patients and doctors will have access to tests that reveal predisposition to diseases.

Besides protecting citizens, scientists believe the bill could save lives. With the legal protection, people will more likely pursue genetic testing, and improve their chances of surviving hereditary illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases.

Health insurance companies, assured that their current practices would not be threatened, supported the bill, while the US Chamber of Commerce opposed it.

Is discrimination based on pre-existing health conditions, which is common practice today, that much different from discriminating based on a predisposition to a health condition? With the latest legal assurance, would you get your DNA tested to know which diseases you may face in the future?

Source