From: Walter Watts (wlwatts@cox.net)
Date: Fri Aug 02 2002 - 15:14:21 MDT
"tabula rasa" turns out to be not so "rasa".
Walter
Jonathan Davis wrote:
> Scientists discover 'crime gene'
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2165715.stm
>
> The chances of anti-social behaviour among boys who are maltreated as they
> grow up may be determined by their genetic make-up, research suggests.
>
> 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 discovery raises the possibility of developing drugs to combat crime,
> the scientists believe.
>
> But critics are concerned that youngsters could be labelled as potential
> troublemakers before they have committed any crime.
>
> They also fear that governments may turn to using drugs to fight crime,
> rather than tackling deep-rooted social problems.
>
> Enzyme levels
> __________
>
> The gene in question controls activity of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase
> A (MAOA).
>
> The researchers studied a group of young men, of whom 154 had been
> maltreated, 33 severely.
>
> They found that those who carried a version of the gene linked to low levels
> of MAOA production were much more likely to indulge in anti-social behaviour
> such as violent crime.
>
> Conversely, anti-social behaviour was much less likely among the group who
> carried a version of the gene linked to higher MAOA levels.
>
> Brain chemicals
> ___________
>
> MAOA breaks down brain chemicals that have been shown to be involved in
> several aspects of behaviour, including aggression.
>
> Researcher Professor Terrie Moffitt said: "A third of the population have a
> genetic makeup associated with low activity of MAOA, and at first we could
> not show a link between genetic make-up and violence in the study.
>
> "However, if those individuals with the at-risk genetic make-up were also
> maltreated, then they were much more likely to develop antisocial
> behaviour."
>
> The researchers found 12% of the 442 individuals studied were men had been
> maltreated, and who had the gene linked to low MAOA levels.
>
> However, this group were responsible for 44% of violent crimes committed by
> the whole sample group.
>
> Professor Moffitt said: "The results provide evidence that a person's
> genetic make up can influence their sensitivity to environmental factors.
>
> "These findings may also partly explain why not all victims of maltreatment
> grow up to victimise others - some genes may actually promote resistance to
> stress and trauma."
>
> Professor Stephen Post, an expert in bioethics at Case Western Reserve
> University, Cleveland, US, warned against jumping to the conclusion that the
> breakthrough could be used to develop new drugs to treat anti-social
> behaviour.
>
> He said: "Many people will have the genetic susceptibility and yet show
> remarkable resiliency in the face of maltreatment, going on to live
> constructive lives.
>
> "Violence in maltreated children is a major issue. Stop the maltreatment,
> and don't add to the problem by layering in a new generation of so-called
> violence preventing drugs."
>
> ------------
>
> Regards
>
> Jonathan
> http://www.limbicnutrition.com/blog/
-- Walter Watts Tulsa Network Solutions, Inc. "No one gets to see the Wizard! Not nobody! Not no how!"
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