# The Genetic Basis of Parental Care April 19, 2017 - [ News ](/news-categories/news) Why are some mice and people monogamous? And, why are monogamous fathers better at parenting? In a study led by Hopi Hoekstra and postdocs, Andrés Bendesky and Jean-Marc Lassance, the answer points to a genetic basis for parental care in monogamous parents that can elvolve independently in males and females. The study published in the latest issue of [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/nature22074.epdf?author_access_token=0x1biq9nslz0STSe9nS1HtRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0PUZatu-ioZOvQiNBDnZCZpXslqiPpgDCjAd7NiGx0eIC2lK3uX5_x7zMGVIHNVvARcPQWLombmuP0jNUVkL-DD), is in collaboration with Catherine Dulac's lab in MCB. News: [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/science/parenting-genes-study.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront), [Harvard Gazette](http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/harvard-team-leads-breakthrough-on-the-genetics-of-parenting/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04.21.2017%20(1)), [ScienceDaily](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170419131720.htm) ##### *Image: A mated pair of monogamous oldfield mice with their litter in the lab at Harvard. Credit, Andrés Bendesky* See also:- [ Faculty News ](/news-type/faculty-news) - [ Postdoc News ](/news-type/postdoc-news) - [ 2017 ](/news-year/2017)