Controversial Research Shows Genetics May Play Role For Women Who Cheat

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- When women are unfaithful, it's seldom ever said that their genetics made them do it.

But now, controversial new research could change all that.

"I think monogamy works for some people and not for others," said Michelle Caniglia, of Denville, New Jersey.

As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, some men claim a primal desire to stray is hard-wired in them biologically. Perhaps women can claim the same?

"Yeah, a lot of women cheat. (Are you speaking from personal experience?) I reserve comment," said Randi Lois Sachar, of the Upper East Side.

Sachar said she doesn't kiss and tell, but thinks new research about women and cheating may have merit.

The cheating study by the University of Queensland in Australia involved 7,400 participants. Ten percent of men and 6 percent of women admitted to having recent affairs.

Researchers focused on the women cheaters, finding in some, variations in what is sometimes referred to as the "bonding hormone" vasopressin, Carlin reported.

Scientists say vasopressin and how it works with the so-called trust hormone, oxytocin, just might explain a woman's natural inclinations to stray.

The researchers describe these results as preliminary and no one is suggesting that this study be used to give anyone, male or female, an automatic hall pass to cheat, Carlin reported.

"The statistics for women cheating are much higher than they used to be," said relationship expert Emma Viglucci.

Viglucci said unlike men, women who cheat are less likely to be simply chasing a thrill.

"It's more about feeling alive, feeling special, taken care of," she said.

And here is her bottom line: "Cheating is never acceptable" no matter the gender or genetics.

The scientists involved in the study said the same vasopressin receptor gene appeared to have no effect on promiscuity in men.