Opposites Really Do Attract In Human Search For A Mate According To New Study

Photo: Sophie Dahl and Jamie Cullum are living proof that opposites really do attract

From The Daily Mail:

It's an age old theory but when it comes to choosing a mate, opposites really do attract, according to a Brazilian study that found people are subconsciously more likely to choose a partner whose genetic make-up is different to their own.

The study found evidence to suggest that married couples are more likely to have genetic differences in a DNA region that governs the immune system than couples who were randomly matched.

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.'

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