Opposites really do attract in human search for a mate according to new study

By Mail On Sunday Reporter
Last updated at 11:40 PM on 24th May 2009

It's an age old theory but when it comes to choosing a mate, opposites really do attract, according to a Brazilian study that found people are subconsciously more likely to choose a partner whose genetic make-up is different to their own.

The study found evidence to suggest that married couples are more likely to have genetic differences in a DNA region that governs the immune system than couples who were randomly matched.

Maria da Graca Bicalho and her colleagues at the University of Parana in Brazil reported that this was likely to be an evolutionary strategy to ensure healthy reproduction because genetic variability is an advantage for offspring.

Scientists said the type of signals that attract people to others who are genetically dissimilar to themselves was not clear, but suggested body odour or even face structure could play a role.