When two becomes one

When two becomes one

According to the census there are more mixed race couples in Britain than anywhere else on Earth. Nowhere is this truer than in London. Now, an American academic claims that the children of mixed race couples will be stronger, healthier and smarter.

The term 'mixed race' was included in the 2001 census for the first time because ticking 'other' was deemed insulting. In the 1990s, the number of mixed race people grew by 75% to around 450,000 and now represents about 10% of the ethic minority population.

In a new book 'Breeding Between the Lines' biologist and academic, Alon Ziv, claims to produce evidence from history, academic journals and pop culture that proves mixed race individuals have significant physical and mental advantages.

Do you think either of the following statements could ever be grounded in scientific research, as Alon Ziv believes?

• After 18 holes, Tiger Woods probably smells better than Phil Mickelson.

• Odds are Lenny Kravitz lost his virginity earlier than Justin Timberlake.

Alon Ziv's book also addresses why we choose the mates we do; why in the past the bride and groom looked more similar than different and why this is about to change.