Smell Ya Later

Thanks to the Economist for the cool piece about ScientificMatch.com, a Boston-based Internet-dating site that matches people based on...sort of...the way someone smells.

The science behind the site relies on part of the genome known as the major histocompatability complex. MHC genes (in vertebrate animals) make molecules that enable the immune system to recognize invaders. If you want to perpetuate your species, then passing along a strong healthy immune system to your offspring is key. And the way to do that is to hook up with someone that has a completely different set of MHC gene than your own.

If you're a mouse, you might find that special someone by sniffing the urine of pretty prospects. Chances are, the scent you'll prefer will be from a potential mate with the MHC genes most different from your own.

Several studies say people prefer the scent of potential partners that, after later analysis, are shown to have MHC genes most different from their own, too.

So if you're a modern day Homo Sapiens Sapiens living in the networked world, you can find those people by paying $1,995 for an annual membership to a dating service that samples your DNA and matches you to folks with different MHC genes than your own.

The site also offers a way to match personality and values, too. And that could help ensure that you won't end up with a rat.

Comments

[Rhoda]

Like your closing line!

Like the Economist, too, partly because its staff takes obvious pleasure in reporting on such amusing and startling topics. They've also hired some fine writers.