Genetic sexual attraction
Genetic sexual attraction is the phenomenon where close relatives such as a brother and sister are brought up not knowing about one another and when they later meet as adults, they find one another highly attractive sexually.
This situation can occur as a consequence of adoption, where the adopted children discover their true ancestry, and seek out relatives. Although this is a rare consequence of adoptive reunions, the large number of adoptive reunions in recent years means that this is happening to a significant number of people. It is generally highly distressing to both parties, as this sexual attraction is contrary to their socialized sexual and moral strictures.
This phenomenon does not occur where children are raised together in early childhood; in this case, a form of reverse sexual imprinting known as the Westermarck effect appears to suppress sexual desire between siblings.
See also
