Bad Boy Gene Makes Males Popular

(Our happy hour fact to amaze your drinking buddies with.)

Male college students who have a gene associated with rule-breaking are popular with their peers.

Researchers from Michigan State University collected DNA from 200 college-aged males who didn't previously know each other, and then set them up in a lab situation in which they were encouraged to interact. After an hour, they were asked which members of the group they liked best. In multiple samples, the students with a serotonin gene that is linked to rule-breaking came out on top.

Previous studies have shown mischievous adolescencts and young adults are well liked, but this is the first to attach a specific gene to that social outcome. Researchers are working on similar studies using female students, as well as mixed-gender social groups.

Of course, the key would be to isolate the gene that makes you appealing to the opposite sex. Once that happens, expect spam offers of gene therapy to be filling your inbox.

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