How many children you have might be written in your DNA

Scientists have revealed that there is now a more accurate way of predicting the number of future offspring we might have and it’s all to do with our genes.

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Researchers at the University of Oxford has discovered that the number of children we may have could already be in our DNA.

The research team has unveiled twelve areas in our unique DNA sequence that are all linked with the age at which we have our first child and the eventual size of our family.

The findings suggest that along with our personal decisions, social circumstances and environmental factors, genetics may also play a role in our reproductive behaviour.

“Our genes do not determine our behaviour, but for the first time, we have identified parts of the DNA code that influence it. This is another small piece to understanding this very large jigsaw puzzle,” one of the study author’s Nicola Barban, from Oxford University said in a news release.

The study also revealed that parts of our DNA linked with the age at which people have their first baby are linked to other characteristics, which reflect reproduction and sexual development.

Confused? Well, in very basic terms, the DNA that reflects the age at which you started puberty, when girls have their first period or when a man’s voice broke, could actually offer an indication of when you might have your first child.

Lead author Professor Melinda Mills, explains: “We found that women with DNA variants for postponing parenthood also have bits of DNA code associated with later onset of menstruation and later menopause.”

Scientists hope this new DNA insight could one day be used to help doctors guide families in knowing when it might be too late for them to start a family.

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