Is Human Monogamy Genetic?

Are humans “genetically programmed” towards monogamy? Does monogamy ensure that offspring are cared for? What bearing does this have on the ethics of cheating in a romantic relationship? And how do we account for polyamory?

A few months ago, I wrote a story about a philosopher defending (and engaging in) “polyamorous relationships”—romantic relationships with multiple partners. The philosopher, Carrie Ichikawa Jenkins, argued that much of the stigma regarding polyamorous relationships stemmed from obsolete and stifling social standards. 

Recently, I saw a study out of Harvard that suggests humans are “genetically programmed” towards monogamy to ensure that offspring are cared for. I’m always dubious of drawing conclusions from single studies (this one used mice, not people, as subjects), and I’m especially wary of anyone who uses the phrase “genetically programmed.”

Nonetheless, reading the study made me want to ask the question: if humans really are naturally inclined toward monogamy, does that have any bearing on the ethics of cheating in a relationship? Or, to phrase the question another way: does our concept of right and wrong require an understanding of human nature (or at least tendencies)? 

Read the original blog post here: https://www.philosophytalk.org/blog/defense-polyamory

And read about the new study here: http://bigthink.com/philip-perry/scientists-suspect-genetic-underpinnings-to-human-monogamy