Genetic compatibility scenarios are based on females deriving indirect genetic benefits from pairing with genetically compatible males [ 6, 9, 10, 15].
The genetic compatibility of different duck species, combined with mixed effects of genetically determined and imprinted mate choice leads to speciation reversals [ 11] despite genotypically and morphologically defined species boundaries.
Transplanted organs are rejected if there isn't a genetic compatibility between donor and recipient.
Saikkonen, K., Wäli, P. & Helander, M. Genetic compatibility determines endophyte-grass combinations.
The science of smell, he notes, is serious, and he cites research into smell as a marker for genetic compatibility.
Dr Ihle and her colleagues tested the genetic compatibility hypothesis to identify whether females were choosing their mates based on their genetic quality.
(The prospective mother on the tentatively titled "Make Me a Mum" show would select the winner based on looks, intelligence and genetic compatibility).
"These results reject the hypothesis of mate choice for genetic compatibility and only support the hypothesis of mate choice for behavioural compatibility", said Dr Ihle.
"Would you mind taking a quick DNA test," I say, "to determine our genetic compatibility?" "Am I going to be told I have a fatal disease?" she asks.
"Embryo mortality (which is presumably driven by genetic compatibility) did not differ between eggs of females assigned their chosen male or another male (regardless of who was looking after the eggs).
"There will be undoubtedly be Gattaca-style apps which, given a hair, will tell you the genetic compatibility of a potential boy or girlfriend, although doing so is fraught with ethical issues of data interpretation," Ip said.
