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Q:
Is love a purely chemical reaction?
- Jason (age 7)
Glenside Weldon, Glenside, Pa, USA
A:
Jason -
No, I don't think so. There are certainly chemical elements
involved in the physical attraction between two people (pheremones and
hormones). But scientists are hard-pressed to find a physiological
basis for any emotion, especially love. That's not to say that the
basis couldn't be out there, but we're no where close to figuring it
out yet. So for the time being, this is more a question in the realm of
philosophy than science - but I think you could ask anyone who's ever
been in love, and they'd probably agree that there's something more to
it than simple chemistry.
-Tamara
(published on 10/22/2007)
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