The human genome is essentially like the mechanics behind a car. What is encoded in our DNA makes up what we are. If we have an allele for blue eyes, our eyes are blue, and if we have an allele for brown hair, we are a brunette. Likewise, if we are predisposed to Alzheimer's, the gene it is part of our DNA code. But is there a gene for obesity, or what about a gene for intelligence? Could there possibly be a gene that predisposes people to violence?
Many scientists are beginning to consider the option that within our DNA, there is a gene for violence. In fact, many individuals are hypothesizing that serial killers have a genetic defect somewhere within their genome that makes them murder people. That could possibly mean that babies are born serial killers. To me, that is a scary thought. Dr. H. H. Holmes, a known serial killer, believed that he was born evil. He stated, "I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing.”
If a baby is born a serial killer, does that mean that one day we will be able to detect the violence gene in a fetus or a newborn. Furthermore, what does a parent do with a baby that is already branded as a murderer?
If a violence gene is found and labeled on a strand of DNA, that means that it will just become a new means with which lawyers can defend their clients. It is feared that no one will be held accountable for his or her actions. Just as someone cannot control what color their eyes or hair color is, can someone control their tendencies to violence if it is in their genes?
This blog TOTALLY held my attention. I'm fascinated. But, as much as I can see how you can think that no one would be held accountable for their actions, I wonder if they could find some sort of medication or treatment to fix it now that they can pinpoint a sort of genetic link. Maybe they could stop it all together. Or maybe people that possess that gene will be locked up before they even get the chance to kill.
Just putting the other side out there, but I am so intrigued.
VERONICA!
What if people also used this genome defect as an excuse to abort babies? or--even hold a racist treatment over those branded with this genetic fluke--even if they have yet to show any violent acts?
But hopefully, if such a thing is found in DNA, there will also be a cure or treatment for it. Then again, you know how well scientists are dealing with cancer--or a cure for the common cold for example!
There was a short article on this theme in the Economist a couple months ago. Here's a link, but unfortunately it is subscription only:
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8453850
They take a pretty cynical view, but if you're really into the topic it's probably worth looking up the article at the library.
I've heard about this before.
I think that even if there is a gene that predisposes one to violence, (i doubt it, but its basically another part of the nature vs. nurture debate) i believe that one's environment (read: upbringing) has more to do with their behavior than genetics.
Take my fiance for example. He has a horrible temper. But I also know that he grew up in a loving home with a wonderful, supportive family. He is a well-adjusted citizen and anyone that knows him knows that he would never be capable of murdering someone in cold blood. But, what if he had grown up in less-than-perfect circumstances? His naturally short temper could have been nurtured in a bad way, and probably would have led to a long, violent history that would eventually have landed him in jail.
Genetically PREDISPOSED to violence...that means that prone to violence if brought up in an environment that stimulates it.
Genes alone can dictate traits, but it is up to the individual to decide how to use these traits.
I remember a couple years back I wrote a short story with this same idea. If we ever do end up identifying this gene then what is to happen to the babies that are born with it? Of course the safest course of action would be to separate the child from it's parents and raise it in an environment in which the child can be watched an hopefully the nurture can overcome the nature of the child. But how sad would it be to be shunned from the world simply because of a single gene in your body even though you haven't committed a single crime?
I have been hearing this a lot lately, that being a part in violence is hereditary and I even started to agree. I mean, most of the men in my family are either dead, in prison or I have no clue of their existence. My father was a drug dealer, my first brother got deported because he didn't visit his parole officer like he should or they found blood in his urine (I am not really sure), and my other brother is in prison because of a murder, which had to deal with an illegal money transaction. On the other hand, I finally get an understanding on why the government wants us to insert chips in our head so that they could have our full information, that I have a problem but I do see the connection
It's an interesting dilemma, and it certainly holds frightening possibilities: eugenics probably got a second lease on life once genetics research started to take off. Being predisposed to something, however, does not make one a victim of fate. The person may be at a disadvantage, but ultimately it's a matter of personal responsibility.
It is looking more and more like homosexuality is genetically determined, and many would abort a baby they knew would turn out gay. Yet the genes merely give someone an attraction to people of same gender; it's up to him to act on it (I have no problem with homosexuality, so maybe this is a bad example). Similarly, someone with a "killer instinct" might be more prone to aggression, but he has to make a conscious decision to entertain his violent tendencies in order for something bad to happen. Even if the problem is compounded by growing up in an abusive household or in the ghetto or whatever, it's still all to do with the decisions that person makes on a daily basis.
This was the theme of the first "Metal Gear Solid."
"CONSERVATIVE, n.
A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others."
- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
So true! It seems that if anyone these days has a fault of any kind, it is somehow linked back to their DNA and not their fault. Sounds like some lazy defense attorneys got together with a scientist who wanted to make a pretty penny to think this one up.
Suppose for a second this is true at all, who's to stop us from testing every baby born and then deciding it's value to contributing to society? Would that validate the governments ability to kill off unwanted citizens? How about parents who just don't think they could handle a child with aggression? I think this is bad way to view people and society in general - we need to keep the standard of holding people responsible for their actions!
It's my life and it's now or never, I'm not gonna live forever. I just wanna live while I'm alive.
I think that as many of the other replies point out, it is not just a matter of genetics but also of environment. Just because research supports the existence of a link between violence and our genes does not mean that the environment that those genes are raised in bears no weight. The outcome is 100% genetic and 100% environmental.
Also, just because (potentially) some person (might) (maybe) (one day) use these findings to try to get off the hook does not mean that the findings are not valid. These findings are more than the speculation attached to them or the possible social consequences. You asked, "Suppose for a second this is true at all" - if it is true at all, then it was true before this study, too. Noting the truth of it is not "a bad way to view people and society in general", it is merely an observation. People will attach to it what they will.
It's crazy how it looks like we know so much, and it's a bit scary that we may actually get to a point where we have the power to start our own artificial selection, potentially allowing some to live and some to die based on our knowledge of genes!
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. -Albert Einstein
Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.
but i have to disagree...
i seriously doubt that a gene determines the violence of a person. i would be more prone to agree that the home environment... the nuture... of a person affects their actions, but my firm belief on the matter is that people have a free will - we can CHOOSE what we say, what we are associated with and what actions we take. i know lots of people who grew up in less than perfect home environments, yet they have chosen to better themselves and learn from other's mistakes.
~bgetteb
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes..."
Wow, very interesting.
There's certainly a difference between reflection of character attributes and physical attributes. The first is a nature v. nurture issue, and the latter is purely physical thing. There's so much in the brain that we don't know about! Actually, this nature v. nurture thing is true for physical attributes as well. You might naturally have black hair, but it will be tinged brown/blonde if you swim a lot! And that's just one example. I don't think attitude/character can be directly reflected by certain genes.
If someone commits murder, that person would say, "I did not commit murder my genes committed the murder for me." So when somebody says a cuss word or a racist remark, it want be that person fault either, huh? In religion terms, the situation would be similiar. If a deviant action takes place, the person who committed the action would say that the devil made me do it. What is wrong with America. It seems that everything that takes place is done by something we have no control over. Eventually, scientists and doctors will start killing fetuses once they see the that specific gene that allows a person to commit deviant acts. Sadly, the result, if this is true, could turn out to be a genocide that could become proportionate to the Holocaust.
i often ponder all this myself. the subject of genes can be a scary thing. especially with all these sci-fi shows jumping on the scientific news band wagon. but i mean theres this 1950's black and white film called "The Bad Seed". its Hitchcock-esq. theres this sweet seemingly innocent girl and...does she kill the other boy? who knows. we (the world) have been touching upon this subject for so long, one would think we'd have the answers. or its all a conspiracy....
peace
If murder is a genetic predisposition does that make prison obsolete? Prison is supposed to be about rehabilitating criminals, is it possible to rehabilitate someone who was "born" a murderer?
Pray for Peace
-Crissy