It was only a matter of time before someone launched a dating site that looks for potential matches based on DNA compatibility. That time is apparently today with the launch of GenePartner (ok, it’s not the first, but it’s the cheapest).
The Switzerland-based company says they can use a $199 DNA test (compare to $1,000 for 23andMe) to help you find your perfect match, statistically speaking. They’ve analyzed “hundreds of couples” and have determined the genetic patterns found in successful relationships. Based on their algorithm and your DNA, they’ll determine the probability for a satisfying and long-lasting relationship between two people (color me skeptical).
What about romance? Chemistry? That certain je ne sais quoi when you meet someone and get a tingling sensation in your stomach? Forget it. The future of dating is DNA tests and buccal swabs, so get used to it:
A brush for collecting your DNA sample from your saliva – called a buccal swab kit – will be sent to your address. Following the simple instructions included with the kit you will gently collect the DNA from the inside of your cheek. Use the addressed envelope supplied for returning the brushes.
GenePartner is looking to partner with dating sites and have those services encourage users to see if they’re a DNA match.
Will they be able to avoid tough emerging U.S. laws around genetic testing? Well, they’re in Switzerland. My guess is they’re not going to be too worried about California and other state laws prohibiting their service.
Uh, I take it you mean “Je ne sais quoi” mate?
either is correct. don’t you have a company to run?
They will have a real problem getting the scale needed to find a match.
You need about 20 000 people from each city for a dating site to be interesting for users. Winning even 1000 paying customers in each city will require tons of advertising.
you think?
I’ve grown a couple of dating sites in different markets. Unless a site hits a certain ammount of members it doesn’t convert well (if users have to pay for it) or it doesn’t keep the members coming back if it’s free. On a site where a user has to pay $200 to sign up they have to win a couple of partnerships with top-dating sites just to gain some tracktion.
I think they want to offer this to people using dating sites already, sort of like an extra check on the people you’re thinking of getting serious with. And this might be a “premium” service established sites might want to offer their members. Sure puts you apart from the competition. Doesn’t chemistry.com do something similar?
Mike, in French it is: “Je ne sais quoi”. You said “I we ‘weird stuff’”. No worries though
damned typo police. you know what i mean.
Nice. So you’ll marry your long-lost relative eh? Eurgh.
There’s a good Darwinian reason why opposites attract.
I’m not sure that’s exactly how they do the matching.
“What about romance? Chemistry? That certain je ne sais quoi when you meet someone and get a tingling sensation in your stomach?”
hahah MA, you have it in you. how about LoveCrunch where sleepless techies jacked up on provigil come for dating advice from you, yes you, the Dr. Crunch. the LOVE Dr. Crunch
Steve Gilmor would be the ideal Dr. LoveCrunch — nobody would be surprised about his confused articles.
This is an interesting concept… does anyone know of real success stories? If the match based upon opposites, I can definitely see the potential for it to work.
Quite interesting, though the price differential compared to services like 23andme, DecodeMe and Navigenics could be caused by the limited analysis of just the human leukocyte antigen system which is also tested in the case of organ transplants.
Still, the frame within which this technology is now presented, is very interesting. I am currently writing a sociological research proposal on personal genomics. One of my questions is, whether these now quite inexpensive technologies lead to a new way of genetic subjectivities and communities.
You really have to wonder about the social skills of people who have to resort to this to find a perspective mate.
Are they looking for the perfect ideal?
Are they themselves so hard to get along with that ‘everyone’ else is at fault besides them when relationships go sour.
Are they just too self centered or just looking for that utopia?
When others resort to this - that spells trouble for any potential mate.
The answer isn’t genes - it probably is a good psychologist
I can’t wait til “Divorce Partner” comes out, like “divorce is no coincidence: see why you should ditch current partner”
What about romance and love?
> What about romance? Chemistry?
This _is_ chemistry!
You don’t need romance when the genes are the best match. What I wonder is, how do they know? We just take for granted that somehow the genes will tell the whole story but how do you know that the words are spelled correctly?
When you are born, you have a DNA and it sticks to you all your life, whether you are 3 years old or in your mid 60s (someone tell me if I am wrong so far, biology is far away in my memories).
So how can the DNA alone be enough? It needs to have an age range at least. And that’s not all.
If you are, say ugly in your childhood but you become very handsome in your mid 40s, your DNA is still the same. As well, if you are fat, or thin, or become fat (or thin), your DNA is still the same. Those things are not ‘listed’ in a DNA test, or they need to add extra conditions otherwise it will not work. I’m still very skeptic that DNA will be able to get you a match of someone you find “physically attractive”.
Gosh, is there a layaway plan?
Rudy, you’re right, I could be a perfect match with a midget. And what is a perfect match anyways? Does it work like this “Hi, I’m a Type A DNA and I’m looking for a Type A for a relationship. I’m also willing to go out with a Type X or a Type D or a Type SA mix”?
I just looked at the site and it’s worth clarifying - GenePartner has no database of single people that it matches you up with, it relies on you making the connection first:
—
How can I use GenePartner on dating sites?
If you are a member of a dating site that is used by other GenePartner members you can actively search for people with whom you are genetically compatible. Exchange GenePartnerIDs with people you are interested in, and you can enter these in the matching system on the GenePartner website and immediately find out how genetically compatible you are.
—
Here’s the thing… I’m slightly concerned about the matching criteria… If they ‘match’ you on similar DNA, the chances are they’re gonna be some sort of close relative??? Even though my sister is good looking, I’m 100% I do NOT want to date her…!
What would be the production of fortification activities with someone that is ‘genetically’ similar to you?? Not pretty for sure!
I would hope that they match me with someone with DNA the furthest away from my own!
No the first, see Economist article about ScientificMatch. I had a great conversation with the founder a few months ago. Very interesting how they match based on genes that build a part of the immune system known as the major histocompatability complex (MHC).
This stuff is in it’s infancy, but as someone who has been consulting for dating sites for years, it’s exciting to see this sort of innovation. Price point needs to be $25 before anyone uses it at scale and the fact that you have to already have a match to get any use from the test is sort of a non-starter.
I think the idea is that you use “regular” online dating to filter to the people who match you in other things. When you want to get serious - maybe your virtual flirt lives far away? - you check the physical chemistry (read “genetic compatibility”). What’s $200 if it works? Won’t be many 16 year olds doing this…
I’d join up. But knowing my luck I’d probably be matched up with an alsation, or a snake, or Vanessa Feltz.
I am a BBW myself. We BBW BHM are very proud of our size. So you know what I care is dating site for plus singles like me. I have known many plus sized people at the dating site seekingbbw.com, where you can find many Sexy, Curvy, Classy Women, open minded plus couples, hot big guys, also nice fat admirers, even some celebs.
So? Nothşng was said of how many people are willing such a dating? Sure it will help if you are interested in absolutely healthy partner, and what if when you find him he will be absolutely healthy and attractive but cruel? I think this will not work
The first book I ever wrote was an analysis of the strategies of successful couples. By the time the book went out of print, every single one of my interviewees had split up. With hindsight, we realized we did not even know the criterion by which to measure success.
I will trust these guys if they can show that they have taken samples from >50,000 couples of at least 20 years’ standing, whose friends and neighbors averred were contented people. A vague claim of calibrating from “hundreds of successful couples” doesn’t cut it, if only because I made that claim myself and had egg all over my face two years later.
It should work just based on the fact that any 2 people that would both independently pay $200 to have their DNA tested to find a good partner are probably already compatible for each other regardless of the test results.
- I always though she had some nice nucleotides.
- We knew we were compatible when we realized how strong our hydrogen bond was.
- I’d love to have a double helix with her.
- Check out the chromosomes on her!
- I got to 3rd base. She let me touch her Mitochondria.
/couldn’t decide which.
NGJ, this is a funny comment! Healthy? I don’t see how this could be healthy at all! You could end up with a relative, and it is known that mixing opposed DNA (and culture) is what is best for the children they might have.
Shouldn’t they let people use it for free initially to build up a user base? Maybe just charge for the matches, not the DNA testing.
you don’t have to have a great deal of scientific understanding to know this is bullshit. and besides that, it is morally questionable and totally unethical.
Better check my wife’s DNA - just to make sure we’re compatible
I remember a movie called Gattaca where you could get your partners DNA tested. It seemed out there then and this seems out there now. I am a man, what do I care about the girls DNA. A little sass, a lot of brains and attractive to me is all I care about. How is DNA going to tell me that?
Whatever happened to love at first sight and falling in love.
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Well, at least the couples who would try this have something in common. They are both very STUPID.
and very DESPERATE… maybe that’s how this works.
This has got to be THE STUPIDEST DATING SERVICE IN THE WORLD! I’ve never seen something dumber than this.
Nuts! Total scam! You can’t test DNA for human interaction (at least not yet). Too many variables for the current technology!! Some nice science fiction here. That’s why it’s so cheap. They are not doing anything.
The “First” DNA dating service. That is debatable. There is another that has been around for a while here in the US:
http://www.scientificmatch.com/html/index.php
They have been receiving press now for at least a year.
Something tells me the people who pony up the cash could simply swab their keyboard, seal and ship.
I want the real scoop on provigil (sp?) - is there a crash afterwords? any other wacky side effects? This might be the answer to my prayers. They should have just named it “ambition”.
What if I match up to a chimp? Does DNA know your net worth?
This and zombieharmony. Wow. Almost enough to make me wish I was back out there with all these fabbbbbulllousss options.