KindredDNA
The science

Honest genetics, not horoscopes.

Here’s exactly what we measure, why, and how strong the evidence is. We’d rather be trusted than oversell — every genetic insight is an indicator, never a diagnosis.

Establishedwell-replicatedEmergingsuggestive, active researchExploratorysmall effects, early

Immune-gene attraction (MHC / HLA)

Emerging

HLA class I & II loci

People tend to find the scent of partners with dissimilar immune genes more attractive — Wedekind’s classic “sweaty T-shirt” studies (1995). The leading theory: MHC-diverse pairings may give offspring broader immune coverage. It’s the most-studied biological basis for “chemistry.”

Effect sizes are modest and replication is mixed across populations. We treat it as one signal among several, never a verdict.

Bonding & attachment (oxytocin / vasopressin)

Emerging

OXTR rs53576 · AVPR1A

Variants in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) are linked to empathy and sociality; vasopressin-receptor variants (AVPR1A) were associated with pair-bonding in Walum’s 2008 twin study. These shape how people connect and commit.

Behavioural genetics here is probabilistic and small-effect — useful as a gentle indicator of relating style, not a personality test.

Temperament & drive (dopamine)

Exploratory

COMT rs4680 · DRD4

Dopamine-pathway variants like COMT (the “warrior/worrier” Val158Met) and DRD4 (novelty-seeking) influence stress response, reward, and how people pursue new experiences — relevant to whether two temperaments mesh.

Single-gene effects on complex behaviour are small. We use these only to add colour to a match, with full transparency.

Carrier compatibility

Established

CFTR, HBB (rs334), and more

If both partners carry the same recessive variant (e.g. cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell, thalassemia), there’s a 1-in-4 chance per pregnancy of an affected child. Couple-based carrier screening is well-established clinical practice (e.g. programmes like Dor Yeshorim).

We surface shared-carrier signals gently and privately, and always recommend a certified genetic counselor — we never diagnose.

Lifestyle in sync

Established

CYP1A2 rs762551 · chronotype SNPs

Some traits are genuinely genetic and genuinely daily: CYP1A2 sets how fast you metabolise caffeine; chronotype variants nudge you early-bird or night-owl. Whether two rhythms align is a real, measurable compatibility factor.

These are well-replicated but still one input — lifestyle is shaped by far more than genes.

A shared, healthy future

Emerging

KLOTHO (KL-VS) & longevity panels

Longevity-associated variants such as KLOTHO’s KL-VS, alongside metabolic and cardiovascular signals, give a long-horizon view of health outlook — context for people thinking beyond the first date.

Polygenic health signals are population-level tendencies, not predictions about any individual.

How we combine them

Each match gets a transparent score across these dimensions — you always see the breakdown, never a black box. The signals are weighted toward chemistry and lifestyle for everyday dating, and you decide what matters. We compute a genetic score only when both people have consented and tested.

Privacy by design

We never receive or store your raw genome — only a derived summary of the signals above, encrypted, used solely for matching, deletable anytime, and never shared with insurers or third parties.