If your fetus had the "warrior gene" or "crime gene" would you abort it?
Researchers from King’s College in London have found that boys who have a particular version of a gene are much more likely to go off the rails if they suffer maltreatment when young.
"The results provide evidence that a person’s genetic make up can influence their sensitivity to environmental factors." Professor Terrie Moffitt The discovery raises the possibility of developing drugs to combat crime, the scientists believe.
""Previous research has linked low-activity MAOA variants to a wide range of antisocial, even violent, behavior, but our study confirms that these variants can predict gang membership," says Beaver, the Florida State researcher. "Moreover, we found that variants of this gene could distinguish gang members who were markedly more likely to behave violently and use weapons from members who were less likely to do either."
The MAOA gene affects levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin that are related to mood and behavior, and those variants that are related to violence are hereditary, according to a statement from the university.
The new study examined DNA data and lifestyle information drawn from more than 2,500 respondents to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Beaver and colleagues from Florida State, Iowa State and Saint Louis universities will detail their findings in a forthcoming issue of the journal Comprehensive Psychiatry."
http://www.livescience.com/health/090605-warrior-gene.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605123237.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090121093343.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/2165715.stm
Posted in Psychiatry
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May 29th, 2010 at 12:03 am
If a doctor told me my baby was going to grow up to do crimes or whatever, I would not believe them. Doctors have been wrong quite a number of times. For example, they told my friend her baby will be mentally challenged when born. Turns out he was wrong because the baby is perfectly healthy with a healthy brain.
So I wouldn’t believe a doctor if he/she said this to me. I’d say "f*** you. I know how to raise my baby right. My kid won’t turn into a criminal"
May 29th, 2010 at 12:03 am
i hate psychiatrists and any of their related feild they are a bunch of quacks. but if it is true, i would abort it. though choosing the kind of offspring we want could lead to the end of man kind. look at china and their female to male ratio, its horrible.
May 29th, 2010 at 12:03 am
I would still have my child.
Firstly, I wouldn’t place my baby’s life on a fact that may or may not be true (doctors are wrong all the time) and that is only a possibility
Besides: In the article it said, "are much more likely to go off the rails if they suffer maltreatment when young." I wouldn’t be planning to maltreat my child anyway!!
And I don’t think its for humans to decide who lives and who doesn’t.