Monogamous Dummies

Recent research with fruit flies has demonstrated that polygamous male flies are smarter than monogamous male flies. Scientists aren't sure why yet, but the fascinating question was raised in the article of whether it might also be true of people. (They noted that some fruit fly genetic study results have been found to apply to humans too.) Now, that caught my attention! Being a monogamous dude and valuing being decently intelligent, it made me wonder about my lifestyle. Are men who stay in a faithful relationship less intelligent than their counterparts who play around? The researchers themselves posed this disturbing question (disturbing at least for us guys!).

Biologists studying evolution like to work with flies—especially fruit flies—because they have such short life spans. Within a year or so a scientist can observe several generations and study genetic changes that would require a few hundred years to be observed in humans. Many fascinating discoveries have been made by studying fly genetics. Although some of those results have been applicable to humans, how about this one?

The researchers selectively bred two groups of flies over several generations to become of one or another inclination: one monogamous, the other polygamous. (I wonder how they did that.) After many generations, while comparing the learning skills, it was found that the polygamous male flies were demonstrably smarter—both in finding a mate and in avoiding unpleasant situations. The researchers surmised that a sharper mind locates and mates with a female faster, because it takes a little discernment to locate a receptive female among those who have already conceived and are no longer interested. The monogamous flies—already mated—apparently didn't need those extra smarts.

The study also found another fascinating difference: polygamous male flies did not live as long as their monogamous brethren. Again, the researchers are not sure why, but it has been observed in various species (including humans) that there is an evolutionary cost for being smart: often a shorter life. A more intelligent (and/or larger) brain demands more energy—which can shorten one's life span. It seems that dumb critters can actually live longer.

Further research is certainly called for on this crucial topic—to see if it has any pertinence for humans. It could become a painful choice for a guy to choose to be faithful to one gal and enjoy a longer life (but be stupider) or get smart, play the women, but die sooner. On the other hand, maybe there's no choice to be made... maybe some of us are simply slaves to our genes that force us to become monogamous or polygamous guys. Maybe genetics controls both our sexual drive and our longevity. Is there no free will in this area?