Dating & Technology: A Scientific Approach To Finding The One

What lengths are you willing to go to in pursuit of love?

Some singles stick to traditional dating, preferring to meet partners in bars, parks, museums, stores, and at social events. Others venture into the worlds of online dating or professional matchmaking. Some seek out the advice of fortune tellers and astrology experts.

And now, some singles are turning to science in the search for love. New dating sites are using advanced technology to match potential partners online - but does it work, or is it just an attention-grabbing gimmick? Can science really uncover the biological basis of love, and can a scientific approach be used to complement the traditional path to romance?

Scientific analysis is being applied to modern forms of courtship by an increasing number of dating services that claim to use biological research and genetic testing in an attempt to match prospective partners more effectively. Take GenePartner.com, for example, which claims that "Love is no coincidence!" According to GenePartner, there are two important aspects to every romantic relationship:

1. Social compatibility (such as age, education level, humor, life goals, interests, etc).

2. Biological compatibility (which ensures good chemistry and higher chances of successful long-term relationship).

With that in mind, the site pairs potential partners by analyzing the biological compatibility between them based on their genetic profiles. "With genetically highly compatible people we feel that rare sensation of perfect chemistry," the site says. "This is the body's receptive and welcoming response when immune systems harmonise and fit together."

ScientificMatch.com is also taking an advanced approach to online dating by offering a genetic matchmaking service that uses information about singles' immune system genes gathered from members' DNA. ScientificMatch notes that there are several significant benefits to genetic matchmaking, including higher rates of fertility, increased likelihood of having healthy children with more strong immune systems, and a greater chance that "you'll love the natural body fragrance of your matches."

And genetic analysis isn't the only scientific revolution impacting the dating world. FindYourFaceMate.com, a recently-launched dating site, is matching partners using facial recognition technology. "Chemistry is often ignited when we spot someone whose features are similar to our own," the site explains. To craft meaningful relationships, FindYourFaceMate uses "sophisticated facial recognition software and a proprietary algorithm to identify partners more likely to ignite real passion and compatibility."

It sounds impressive on paper, but the question remains: do these space-age dating techniques actually work?

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