As always, there are a couple of caveats to the results:
1. It may be that those with a strong tendency to pursue risky behaviors are more likely to be forthright about their sexual behavior.
2. The study did not look at variations in mating attractiveness between the two groups. It may be that more attractive people have more opportunity to be promiscuous. Or that attractiveness is correlated to the long version of the gene.
This research may someday lead to DNA testing as part of the mating process. Perhaps there will be an online dating site just for DRD4s. Women may want to know about length (haha) before getting into bed with a guy. I can already hear the excuses – “I was born with the DRD4 mutation! It’s not my fault!”
In the meantime, you’ve already got a pretty solid list of red flags to watch out for. Steer clear of the thrill seekers. If he jumps out of planes or deals drugs, chances are he will cheat on you. If she goes home with you from a bar or wants to be the most beautiful girl at the ball, she’s not going to be happily monogamous.
Once validated, this research destroys forever the fantasy that you can change someone. That you can make a bad boy good, or a party girl want to be a homebody. People don’t change, not really. It appears that we’re hardwired in ways we’ve never even imagined.