Violent Crimes Associated with Genes

In Sweden scientists have located two genetic mutations that appears to be linked to extreme violent behavior in humans. They have discovered that up to 10 percent of violent crimes might be explained by two genes.

One of the genes involved uses a version of a gene called MAOA. This gene shows to make the hormone for temper much shorter and more rapid. The other mutation is a gene called CDH13 thos mutation stops the development of normal neuron connections. The study they did involved people who have all committed crimes. The crimes varied from small things to much more violent crimes. In the end 215 participants were deemed nonviolent offenders while 538 were deemed violent and 84 were deemed very violent. All of their DNA was looked at by these scientists which allowed them to notice the pattern in the violent and non violent crime committers.

I found this article to be very interesting. the fact that scientists can locate a person who is extremely violent to non violent is amazing. This could prevent from more terrible crimes from being committed if this study is more looked into. 

Article Link: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2014/10/28/is-violent-crime-in-some-peoples-genes

Supporting Link: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?id=411697&RSSFeed=UI_Crime/Justice.xml

Is Violent Crime in Some People's Genes?

In the field of biology of crime, a team of swedish investigators have identified two genes genetic mutations that could link to a higher risk for violent behavior. The team is lead by Dr. Jari Tiihonen, a professor in the department of clinical neuroscience with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Tiihonen suggests that up to 10% of the violent crime can be explained by the two genes. One of the genetic mutation involves a version of gene called MAOA, the mutation occurs by a short circuit usually way the hormone dopamine is processed and controlled. Research done before this project suggests that excess of dopamine can promote aggressive behavior especially when mixed with drugs and alcohol according to the background information in the study.

The other kind of mutation is a version of gene known as CDH13; this kind of mutation impedes the development of normal neural connections and undermine impulse control. Previous research links it to onset of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity disorder. Tiihonen points out that there can be many more genes that can contribute to the violent behavior. People who carry the genes MAOA and CDH13 are thirteen times more likely to commit a violent crime.
To look in depth into the genetic mutations of the two genes and how they can be related to violent crimes, the team conducted a analysis involving nearly 800 Finish citizens, of whom 215 participants were classified as "nonviolent offenders" and 539 were "violent"( with at least one conviction). And there is a subgroup of 84 people who are deemed as "extremely violent" according to the study. The DNA samples from the criminals were compared to the DNA of more than 2,000 mom-incarcerated Finnish citizens who gave DNA samples for previous study.  After analyzing the samples, the researches found that having NAOA mutation was associated with higher risk for being  a violent offender and they also found that the gene mutation of CDH13  was also linked to extremely violent behavior. Neither mutation is found to be associated with nonviolent crime. This article is interesting to me because how the genetic technology is improving around the world. With this bit of information, it could inspire other researches to happen in related field.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2014/10/28/is-violent-crime-in-some-peoples-genes