The Soul of Biotech

Recently, a couple more links crossed my virtual desk. You probably know websites like Match and eHarmony for singles dating. These websites usually try to help singles match up based on personality profiles and other self-reported biographical data.

Now we’ve got ScientificMatch and GenePartner, which from the names I initially thought might be for bioengineers looking for a mate. Instead, it’s for mate-seekers looking to do a little bioengineering. Both sites include normal biographical questions about prospective mates, such as values and physical preferences. But on top of that, both sites use cheek swabs to collect DNA samples as well to provide a new dimension of mate compatibility. The theory underlying both websites is that of diversifying immune systems: that is, because we don’t all have the same immune system pieces, we seek mates who have as different immune systems as we do, in order to produce children with the best chance of survival across a wide variety of types of illness.

I admit, I’m curious to try it. Having skimmed the articles involved, the research appears not only sound, but also detailed enough to have discovered confounding factors, such as being raised away from one’s parents at an early age, or taking birth control. If I do try it, I’ll post here and let you know what happens.

Hat tip to ScienceRoll.