The genetic signature of assortative mating appears to be growing stronger in the United States
Couples tend to resemble each other in schooling, drinking, and smoking. A study of hundreds of thousands of people suggests this matching leaves a measurable imprint in the genome, one that may have grown stronger in recent American generations.
A new study published in Behavior Genetics has found that genetic signatures of assortative mating, or the non-random pairing of individuals with similar traits, are growing stronger in the United States. The research, conducted by Gretchen R. B. Saunders of the University of Minnesota, analyzed data from the UK Biobank and the All of Us Research Program, and examined 82,398 likely spouse or long-term cohabiting opposite-sex pairs and 16,273 full sibling pairs from the UK Biobank.
The study found that genetic signatures for education and smoking were stronger among more recently born Americans, suggesting that assortative mating is becoming more prevalent in the population. The findings highlight the potential impact of partner matching on social and health disparities, as concentrating similar traits within families may widen differences between households over time.
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