My research defies the common belief that friendships are our only relationships that we choose. This research shows that our genes actually influence what kind of friends we make. I think this topic is important because it goes against a commonly held belief we have about friendships, and it links two very unrelated topics, friends and biology. I have cited the two most important works I found on this topic.

Netter, Sarah. ABC News. University of San Diego. Jan 17, 2011. Electronic. March 26, 2013.

In a study conducted by James Fowler, professor of medical genetics and political science at the University of California, San Diego, shows that our friendships are actually formed based on our genes. After conducted a study on data from 5,000 people, they came to the conclusion that one gene called DrD2 influences our relationships. This gene influences our drinking behavior, which in turn help us make friends with the same behavior.

It is often said that friendship is the only relationship that we form on our own, as we our born with our family, but it looks like that has been falsified too.

Elovainio, M. US National Library of medicine National Institutes of Health. University of Helsinki, Finland. June, 2007. Electronic. March 27, 2013.

The studies conducted at University of Helsinki on the DRD2 gene shows that it reduces the effect of stressful effects of stressful events on life. And those individuals with higher levels are ‘more vulnerable’. This indirectly shows that they are more likely to make friends.