Scientists making money off brain scans and DNA tests to help people find their true love

WHEN it comes to love — it’s a jungle out there. Which is why more and more people are turning to DNA testing.

WHAT makes us fall in love with one person rather than another has been questioned for centuries.

From physical attraction to feeling thatspark — more and more of us are turning to our laptops, iPhones and apps to find a suitable date — and ultimately, a lifelong partner.

But have we always been this unlucky in love, and what leads to one person falling in love faster than another?

The reason, according to experts in the US, is a question of science — especially when it comes to modern dating.

Husband and wife team Dr Ron Gonzalez and Dr Sara Seabrooke are the faces behind Instant Chemistry — which use DNA testing to determine if a couple is actually a perfect match for each other.

The lab tests the genetic predispositions of couples and claims to tell them whether they’re built to last the long haul.

The concept, which will feature on tonight's episode of Dateline on SBS, tests genes that can affect serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin, which are all neurotransmitters — the chemical messages sent out by the brain.

Basically, the test — which requires a saliva sample from the subject, and a psychological assessment — looks at each person’s serotonin transporter gene and human leukocyte antigen (HLA), or immune system genes. These two genes, according to Dr Gonzalez, determine how compatible your immune system is to that of your partner and how well the two of you may handle relationship conflict.

The other side of the test poses situational questions to the couple that are used to measure how each partner handles conflict based on four interpersonal factors (social, dominant, submissive and intimate behaviour).

So is this just another gimmick preying on those seeking reassurance about their relationship, or does true love actually come down to simple science?

Emily Soukas, 25, has found herself unlucky in lovein one of the toughest dating battlefields in the world — New York City.

As an independent, successful project manager in real estate, Ms Soukas has been on the hunt for a compatible partner for the past three years.

Yet to find her match, Ms Soukas has tried apps and online dating forums — but feels the platform is too superficial when trying to find a match.

“I know plenty of people who have found people through online apps, but it doesn’t work for me,” she told news.com.au.

“It doesn’t feel natural. It’s this online connection, and I just don’t buy it. For me it’s just not the right solution.”

So in a bid to try a different avenue, and determine if her past relationships were in fact the kind of person she should be focusing on for future relationships — Emily decided to take a DNA love test in June

Using her own saliva, and that of her ex-boyfriend Marcus, Emily sent away her DNA to the experts at Instant Chemistry to see how well the pair matched.

“We got a score of 71 per cent per cent — which means we were quite compatible,” she said.

“The score isn’t out of 100, but was on an L curve. So we were quite chemically compatible — according to the result.”

Ms Soukas, who is still friends with Marcus, said the reason their relationship broke down was because of the distance between them. Because of this factor as the reason for their split, she wasn’t overly surprised by the result.

“I was excited to try it, and to see if we were in fact a good match,” she said.

“We got along so well when we were together, but we lived so far apart. We were young and in college, and so there were a lot of different factors that came into it. But the test shows why we are still friends and in touch — because we are compatible.

“If it came back we weren’t compatible, I would’ve been more surprised by that.”

Ms Soukas, who now uses the results from her DNA testing when dating, said people need to stop thinking of love as a “magical, mystical thing”.

“I was dating someone a few weeks ago, and it was great,” she said.

“But [because of the results from the test] I was able to step back and realise we were quite compatible, but it was the wrong timing as he had just got out of a long-term relationship.

“This meant I wasn’t going to waste anyone's time, which was quite empowering.

“The test has provided me with information I can work with in the future. While I am aware of how I relate to others, these results are just another layer on how and why I react to people in certain ways. It gives a deeper understanding of what I need in a partner.”

But while Ms Soukas advocates the test, biological anthropologist and expert in love — Dr Helen Fisher says she wouldn’t waste her money, because it ignores so many other factors that go into falling in love.

“I think this test is silly,” Dr Fisher told news.com.au.

“There’s too many parts of a personality. While the DNA test may say you’re compatible, there’s so many other aspects — looks, humour, intelligence and morals.

“When you fall in love with someone, that’s not going to be measured in the genetic system. A test like this is way too limited to say whether a couple is likely to have a long-term relationship or not, and so I don’t approve of it.”

According to Dr Fisher, who has been studying the mystery of love for more than 40 years, believes the key players when finding a match include timing, proximity to one another, similar socio-economic status, equal looks, intelligence, social values and similar childhood upbringing.

Her research into the area claims to identify the brain chemistry that explains why one person falls in love with another, and to measure the romantic compatibility of two people.

Dr Fisher’s research uses fMRI scanners to identify brain systems and how they determine personality traits, and therefore the types of people you are likely to fall in love with.

“There are four brain systems and each one of them linked with a constellation of personality traits,” Dr Fisher said.

“The dopamine, serotonin, testosterone and oestrogen systems.”

Dr Fisher said that if someone has the dopamine system — who tend to be risk takers, curious, creative and energetic — they tend to like themselves. The same with someone who is high in serotonins, who are more traditional, conventional, follow the rules and orderly.

But when it comes to those high in testosterone — think Hillary Clinton, and oestrogen — like Bill Clinton — they work better together. Or in other words, opposites attract.

“While we are a combination of all four systems, we tend to be stronger in one over the other,” Dr Fisher said.

“Those high in oestrogen and testosterone tend to go for their opposite. I think that’s why Bill and Hillary work together.”

While many of us crave the romance in love, Dr Fisher said people need to start with the right tools — including patience.

“Love can happen at any time, and for most of us — we are interested in finding the right person,” she said.

“Love is like a sleeping cat — it can be awakened the moment you see somebody. If you’re ready to fall in love, they say the right thing at the right moment, boom! That brain circuitry is ignited, which is much more complex than DNA. I just don’t see these tests as practical, and I wouldn’t rely on one for compatibility.”

See more of Emily’s story, and the concept behind Instant Chemistry’s DNA compatibility testing tonight at 9.30pm on Dateline, SBS.