A team of Swedish investigators lead by Dr. Jari Tihonen,
identified two gene mutations that appear to be linked to violent
behavior. Dr. Jari Tiihonen, is a
professor in the department of clinical neuroscience with the Karolinska
Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. He said that their study suggests that 10% of
the crimes being committed were due to the two gene mutations.
The two mutations identified by the team involved the
versions of genes
MAOA and
CDH13. The genetic mutation that involved the
version MAOA, short circuited the usual way the hormone dopamine was processed and
controlled. A previous research conducted suggested that excess of dopamine
could promote aggressive behavior, especially when mixed with alcohol or drugs
consumption.
The other mutation involving the gene CDH13, impedes the
development of normal neural connections and undermines the impulse control.
This had previously been linked to the onset of ADHD too. Dr. Tihonen also
added that, “I think that it is important to realize that there are probably
many more genes that [also] contribute to violent behavior." He also added
that simply carrying the mutation doesn’t mean that a person is destined to live
a violent life.
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| Violent Behavior triggered by a gene mutations |
The study involved performing a genetic analysis on the DNA
samples of 800 Finnish prisoners. Out of the 800, 215 were involved in “non-violent”
crimes like property theft and drug dealings and the other 538 were involved in
“extremely violent” and “violent” like murder and assault. These DNA samples were
then compared with the DNA samples of 2000 non-incarcerated Finnish citizens.
Based on these genetic analyses, the researchers found that
having the MAOA and CDH13 mutation was associated with a higher risk for being
a violent offender. Neither of the mutation was found to be associated with the
non-violent crime according to the study.
Tiihonen argued that the findings could be used to help some
offenders break their cycle of repetitive violence. He said MAOA mutation carriers
could be helped most certainly as their aggression is due to high levels of dopamine
which is due to the consumption of alcohol and drugs. Tiihonen suggested that
if the prisoners with the MAOA mutation should be given a shorter sentence if
they agree to take dopamine depressant two to three times a week under strict
supervision.
Kevin Beaver, a professor with the College of Criminology
and Criminal Justice at Florida State University in Tallahassee, said that
"much remains unknown about which genes are involved [in violent
behavior], and how they ultimately may predispose to different types of
criminal behaviors."
This research is in initial stages as stated by Professor
Beaver but I think it is very interesting to know that characteristics like violent
behavior could be genetic too. If this research is carried out more into depth
it will definitely help reduce the number of prisoners in the prisons and also
lower the crime rates.
