The Ying and Yang of Human Attraction

"Opposites attract", at least that is true of electromagnets. But, do laws exist governing the attraction between two unique people? Is there a clear set of rules that allows two people to fall for each other?

Or is attraction merely a matter of chemistry?

According to scientists, the powerful attraction between animals of the opposite sex is caused by chemicals known as pheromones. In studies of the effects of pheromones on the behavior of insects, scientists have observed that pheromones are responsible for communication among ants. The odor released by skunks to ward off enemies is a pheromone. And some apes rub pheromone-containing urine on the feet of potential mates to attract them. Some scientists believe that animals (usually the females) such as insects and mammals, send out chemical signals to tell the male of their species that their genes are different from theirs. This gene diversity is important in producing offspring with better chances of survival.

The perfume industry has capitalized on the use of pheromones. Scents such as the musk from whales and deer have been used to create perfumes that are worn by humans as a means to attract the opposite sex.