Genetics and violence
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Scientific interest in the correlation between genetic factors and violence dates back to the eugenics movement of the 19th century. Because of the Nazi and racist associations with eugenics, this study fell into disrepute from the 1960s through the 1980s, when the prevalent view was that environment was the primary determinant of behavior. With the advance of genetics in the beginning of the 21st century there has been renewed interest in finding possible genetic causes for crime and violence.
[edit] Studies
In 2002 a study published by researchers at the King's College in London found a link between a gene causing low levels of MAO-A and increased levels of violence in people who had been mistreated as children.[1]
An American group studying monkeys called MAO-A a "warrior gene" in 2004.[2]. In 2006, a New Zealand researcher, Dr Rod Lea said that a particular variant (or genotype) was over-represented in Māori. This supported earlier studies that there are different proportions of variants in different ethnic groups. This is the case for many genetic variants, with 33% White/Non-Hispanic, 61% Asian/Pacific Islanders having the weaker MAO-A promoter. [3]
[edit] See also
- Eugenics
- Genetic determinism
- Nature versus nurture
- Race and crime
- Violentization
- Violence
- Monoamine oxidase
- The Gene Illusion
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