American scientists have discovered that genetic makeup influences the types of friends we choose, and that people often bond over their flaws while drifting apart due to their virtues.
According to Telegraph, scientists believe we choose friends partly based on their genetics, particularly those who have a significant impact on our behavior. However, friendships can sometimes develop in a “opposites attract” or “birds of a feather flock together” manner.
Thus, while possessing genes that make one prone to alcoholism may draw you closer to those with similar traits, DNA linked to a more easygoing personality is likely to cause conflict with others of the same temperament.
The American research team, led by Dr. James Fowler from the University of California, San Diego, utilized data from two large health studies to explore the genetic links to friendship.
They identified genetic markers, or genotypes, in six specific genes and examined their frequency among friends.
The researchers found two typical examples illustrating the “birds of a feather flock together” and “opposites attract” scenarios.
The first example involves a variant of the DRD2 gene associated with alcohol addiction. Individuals with this DRD2 genotype tend to befriend others with the same genetic marker. Conversely, those lacking this genotype are more likely to associate with individuals who have no interest in alcohol.
“It’s not hard to imagine that non-drinkers might actively avoid alcoholics, or that alcoholics may gravitate towards environments that non-drinkers typically avoid,” quoted from the research publication by the American scientists.
A less contrasting association was found among individuals with the CYP2A6 gene linked to an “open” personality. In this case, those possessing this genetic marker often prefer to befriend individuals who do not have it.
The findings of this study are significant as they also consider the tendency for “local” friendships to form among people in the same geographic area.
Having friends with similar genetic structures can amplify the influence on personality traits. For instance, someone sensitive to alcohol might become an alcoholic due to genetic factors. However, they could also be influenced by chosen friends who share similar genetic traits and whose lives revolve around drinking.
The evolution of humans, in some respects, has been shaped by the interplay between genetics and friendship choices. “The evolutionary environment of humans is not limited to physical and biological surroundings, but also includes social environments, which can itself be an evolutionary force,” quoted from the research team’s report.
