Ever wonder why you get along so well with someone, or why you don’t? Or why you and your best friend are best friends? What makes you two closer than you and any of your other friends? Do you and your best friend consider each other sisters? Or brothers? According to studies you’re actually more similar to fourth cousins.
Often, best friends share a lot in common such as favorite foods, music taste and style. It turns out you share a lot more than that. According to a new study, you and your friends may share a high number of similar genes.
Researchers from the University of San Diego made the discovery after analyzing almost 1.5 million markers of gene variation from around 2,000 people. Pairs of unrelated friends were compared with pairs of unrelated strangers. The study found that, on average, about 1% of the genes of friends matched each other. “Friends with no biological connection had as much genetic similarity as fourth cousins or people who share great, great, great grandparents. (James Fowler)”
The focused primarily on four different senses and found that seminaries in genes affecting smell tended to be among the most similar friends. Scientist say it’s most likely because our sense of smell draws us to certain places. If you love them smell of candles just as much as another, this might draw you both into a candle shop frequently where it’s possible to have an encounter.
According to Professor Nicholas Christakis of Harvard University, the reasons for us being drawn to those who are genetically similar to ourselves include us being thrown together with people with similar interests in sports clubs or at university. Most of the time, we notice the similarities in things we do or like, we don’t notice how similar in physical structure we look to our best friends most of the time. “We actively seek out those who are like us – even if we are unaware of the underlying genetics. For instance, thin people may stick together, unaware that each member of the group lacks genes that make it easy for others to pile on the pounds. Similarly, people might choose to terminate friendships with people whose weight status differs from their own (Christakis).”
Although we don’t know how we choose our genetically similar friends, these studies show you that you and your best friends are actually a lot closer than you think.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2014/07/14/friends-share-similar-genes/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1348051/Best-friends-forever-gene-Its-DNA-say-scientists.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/15/you-and-your-friends-share-same-genes_n_5587187.html
This blog caught my attention easily. I have always wondered if genes played a role in why friends are friends. I always wondered if you have certain genes, they draw you to certain people with those similar genes. I find it interesting that smell draws people to one another, but it makes sense. Like you said, if you go into a candle shop because you are drown to the smell of the different candles, a random person there can become your friend because they have the same attraction to the candle smell. I think that similar interests in hobbies and sports are what genetically draw us to one another and is the primary reason why we are drawn to each other. Think about it, humans seek to find those who are similar to them and experience their favorite activities together. Scientists still do not know why we are genetically drawn to others and if there is truly a genetic scientific reason behind this. As of now, it is due to personality and similar hobbies. Below is a link that talks about this phenomena, but states that we evolve with our friends. Therefore, we can are individuals, but we change due to who we surround ourselves with.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/07/14/331354227/do-we-choose-our-friends-because-they-share-our-genes
I think this is interesting that friends have similar genes. That makes sense because usually our best friends have the same interest or we meet because we were at the same place or event. This article gives more information about this.