If you are born with a morals gene, then it could be a violence or killer gene which only affects men. 30% to 40% have it, but a mutation could cause an individual to be less in control of himself.
This is the warrior gene and one would be more prone to violent behavior when in a confrontation if they carry its mutation -- MAOA-L or MAOA-H. It could be controlled with serotonin.
"The MAOA gene can be found on the X chromosome and is part of a family of genes which deal directly with chemical messengers such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain. Monoamine oxidase A is an enzyme produced by these genes and research has discovered in rare cases this gene can be missing completely or, individuals can have different variants.
In men, who only have one X chromosome, they will either have a low activity variant known as MAOA-L or a high activity variant, MAOA-H. Women, who have two X chromosomes, are more likely to have at least one high functioning variant and are therefore less affected, although studies on women so far have been few.
A growing body of research suggests that the presence of MAOA-L translates to a vulnerability toward violent behavior, particularly when provoked or challenged, hence the term the
warrior gene. The presence of the warrior gene suggests that these crucial chemical neurotransmitters in the brain are not being mobilized correctly. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter of particular importance to behavior as it is most closely associated with stabilizing mood and calming us down in anger."
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Research Evidence
"It was Dutch Professor Han Brunner who made the discovery of an MAOA gene mutation in 1993 when he studied a Dutch family whose male generations displayed extreme violent aggression. It is this research that can be credited with creating the warrior gene debate. Nine of the males from the family were studied and through biological testing it was found these individuals all had a defect; they were missing the MAOA gene completely.
These males also displayed low IQ levels and were found to be introverted with little social inclusions and social activities. Their histories were littered with frequent violent outbursts with little justification, often occurring during periods of little sleep where they also experienced night terrors. The study found that the males in the family who did have the gene had a normal education, were holding down regular jobs and were not displaying the same kinds of
anti-social behaviors as their affected male relatives."
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"Certainly, in the United States, the opportunity to pay for DNA testing to establish the presence of the warrior gene is available. Quite why men would want to pay for such a test highlights the potential misconception that the presence of MAOA-L means any violent aggression is entirely genetic and out-with their control, essentially removing any blame or responsibility from the individual themselves. Mounting research, however, suggests that having the warrior gene
alone is not enough to cause any violent behavior. It is more likely that this is a genetic predisposition that can be triggered by external environmental factors.
The fear is that this MAOA-L gene is being labeled as a ‘
violence gene’ – if you have it you are more than likely heading into violent criminality. but the reality is much more complex involving both genetic and environmental factors. Furthermore, if up to 40% of the population does have the warrior gene as suggested, and it was a
cause of violent aggression, much more violence within the general population would be expected."
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Study evidence
'Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Avshalom Caspi at Duke University, conducted an influential study published in 2002 where he followed research being carried out in New Zealand. From 1972 researchers had been closely monitoring a group of children since birth and through their development, as they got older. Specifically, the study looked at maltreatment during childhood and the presence of the warrior gene.
They found that children who had suffered trauma or maltreatment were more likely to develop anti-social behavior as adults. Those who suffered maltreatment and had the warrior gene showed even higher levels of anti-social behavior and criminality. The risk of developing such behaviors it seems was already present with just the maltreatment history, however, combined with the warrior gene, this risk is considerably higher.
Of the total number of boys studied (422), 12% were found to have both the warrior gene and mistreatment in their childhoods, but this 12% (55) were said to be
10 times more likely to be convicted of the violent crime by the age of 26 years old. Professor Caspi states that even though only a fairly small number of the boys studied had the warrior gene, this small number
“accounted for 44% of the cohort’s violent convictions”.'
Examining the research on the warrior gene and its impact in criminology regarding the origins of violence and aggression in criminal behaviour.
www.crimetraveller.org
Study of Violent Behavior Groups and its Subset Extreme Violent Behavior Groups
bsj.berkeley.edu
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www.cnn.com
www.theatlantic.com
www.thoughtco.com
