A Natural Attraction

The journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin published the results of a study by R. Chris Fraley and Michael J. Marks that has received some almost-mainstream media attention. The study indicates that we are sexually attracted to our close relatives on a physical basis.

From Wired:

In a series of experiments where subjects viewed photographs of their opposite-sex parent or a photo morphed with their own face, researchers found that people are turned on by photographs of people who resemble their close genetic counterparts.

“People appear to be drawn to others who resemble their kin or themselves,” said psychologist R. Chris Fraley of the University of Illinois, lead author of the study published July 20 in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. “It is possible, therefore, as Freud suggested, that incest taboos exist to counter this primitive tendency.”

If we are driven to spread our genes, then wouldn’t it make sense that we’d be attracted to the people who share some of those genes? Or, if my father is genetically predisposed to be attracted to women with a certain look, wouldn’t it be possible that I have those genes, too, and so I’d be attracted to someone who looks like my mother?

It makes sense that there be some natural or social mechanism that mitigates this to prevent young siblings or parents of minor children from doing things that subvert other parental or sibling responsibilities, in addition to most people not being pedophiles. But that mechanism isn’t needed beyond a certain age.

The Huffington Post also mentioned the news.

While rare, some coupled relatives have come out of the woodwork in proof of this theory. In 2008, father and daughter John and Jenny Deaves were featured on 60 Minutes episode about genetic sexual attraction. Not only did the two admit to having an amorous relationship but also to conceiving children together. They live in South Australia.

While it isn't an uncommon experience, only a few people have come out publicly with their accounts of GSA. Most people are afraid to, and for good reason, given how people are currently treated in most places in the world if they come out.

The blog at Discover Magazine also covered the story.

Fortunately, none of this coverage has not been overtly bigoted.

So should there really be laws and social hostility towards something that is natural? Some people strike out against attractions they do not share or do not understand. We see that when it comes to same-sex attraction, and we see it when it comes to this.

Abstract and Actual

In forums such as Yahoo Answers, you can find some gems and some stinkers. Quite often when it comes to questions about consanguineous, gay, or polyamorous sex, you’ll see bigots throwing stones from behind their computer screens.

As happens from time to time, someone posed the question “Why is incest illegal?” Some responses cited child abuse, even though it was a question about consenting adults.

Here are some samples of responses:

Because its against nature and disgusting to all human beings who are sane .the one thing the whole world agrees with , gentile or jew or Muslim

Ah yes. “It’s disgusting.” That’s what some people say about peas, but they aren’t banned.

A fear of deformities is usually given as the reason, although that's not really biologically valid. Ask any farmer how interbreeding is used to IMPROVE the breed.

Hey, some intelligence!

I think because there is a thin line between allowing incest and allowing bestiality, society has to draw the line somewhere and apparently incest is the line which we won't cross.

! ? ! Maybe that person sees their family members as nonhuman; otherwise, I don’t know where they get that.

I don't think it should be punishable, unless they have or intend to have children, but anyone who does do that kind of thing probably needs help, serious help.

Maybe you’re the one who needs help? You may have latent desire, given your hostility.

I'm certainly not advocating it though. For one thing it is disgusting. For the other it would result in a lot of family strife and family breakdowns. There are very good reasons why it is taboo in our culture!

But you didn’t cite any. Family strife and breakdown? As if there’s none of that going on when two unrelated people get together.

There is a legitimate state interest in protecting the stability of families. Incest tends to destabilize them.

What about divorce? Actually, from what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard from others, consanguineous love strengthens some families.

In the actual case, someone wrote about having sex with his sister…

Im 19 and my sister is 23, we both live in the same apartment. today I saw my sister getting out of the shower and couldnt resist her. we both had feelings for each other in the past and this morning.. we actually did it. can i face legal charges?

THIS IS NOT A MADE UP STORY. ME AND MY SISTER IS ACTUALLYHALF-RELATED. WE BOTH SHARE THE SAME FATHER, BUT A DIFFERENT MOTHER.

Most responses were the standard bigoted and hurtful senseless remarks. But there was a good answer, too.

Talk to her. Find out how she feels about it - there's probably going to be a lot of guilt, yours and hers. But you should know this; that guilt is mostly because you think you are SUPPOSED to feel guilty.

Examine how you really feel about each other, and then try to plan out what you are going to do in the future. If you care about her, and you don't want to screw up her life, think carefully about going ahead, and the changes you are going to have to make in your lives.

Very good advice.