Study: Levels Of Promiscuity May Be Linked To DNA

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- A new study suggests there may be a biological reason for infidelity.

A group of New York researchers say it's all in the genes -- and not your blue ones.

When it comes to monogamy, whether you want to admit it or not, cheating can sometimes go hand in hand.

"You have free will, you have free will. You can say yes, you can say no," one woman said.

"I can't. I don't want to say anything incriminating, get crucified by my wife," Bobby Hernandez said.

"You have two types of people. You the ones that would never cheat, and you have the one's that somehow always cheat," Chaim Levin of Crown Heights told CBS 2's Derricke Dennis.

But what if you can't help it?

"I think that there is a scientific reason. I believe that is true," said Danny Vega of Pelham Park.

What if your genes account for all your bed hopping?

"That's really interesting. I don't think it's in my genes, but it's interesting that's for sure," one person said.

It's very interesting. Justin Garcia, a researcher from SUNY Binghamton took DNA samples from 181 college students and looked at the DRD4 gene and found a variable of a person's D4 gene makes them prone to one-night stands, infidelity and uncommitted sex.

"I know people who have done that, who said my father did it, my uncle did it, and I just couldn't help myself," said Vicki Justice of Ellaville, Ga.

And we heard that excuse over and over again, that this study is just an excuse for someone to cross the line into infidelity.

"It is not an excuse. There is never an excuse for bad behavior in terms of relying on our biology," Garcia said.

Still, even the study says there could be other reasons for a person's penchant for promiscuity.

Maybe they're just jerks.

"Many folks with this gene will never commit infidelity or have a one-night stand, and many folks without this gene will commit lots of infidelity and one-night stands," Garcia said.

But if you believe the study, cut that cheater some slack.

"All men are, we're all created equal," one man said.

After all, a kiss, some say, is just a kiss.

The researchers admitted they need a larger sample size to back up their findings. They said another study is planned.