Genes may be to blame for infidelity

Tuesday, 6th April, 2010.

According to one scientist, Professor Tim Spector of the Twin Research Unit, St Thomas's Hospital, London, there is a genetic factor involved in infidelity. In 2004, whilst focusing on women, he found that where one of a pair of twins was unfaithful, the other had a higher incidence of infidelity as well, of around 55%. In general, the incidence of being unfaithful amongst women is 23%: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3783031.stm. It also makes the point, however, that this is only part of the picture, and it is a lot more complex than just purely genetic predisposion alone.

And whilst, for many years, people have talked about the emotional reasons why women are unfaithful, according to marriage expert M. Gary Neuman, infidelity in men also has its roots in emotions: http://www.bbcaudiobooksamerica.com/Trade/TradeHome/NewsReviews/tabid/57/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/45/New-Research-Shows-Sex-Is-Not-the-Leading-Cause-of-Marital-Infidelity.aspx

Judging by this research, it would seem clear that infidelity all boils down to complex emotional needs. Therefore, in this respect, it differs from other forms of behaving badly.