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A specific mutation in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene has been linked to violent behavior. All men belonging to a family in the Netherlands harboring this mutation were arsonists and rapists. And, mice without an MAOA gene have been found to be excessively aggressive. Low-expression of the MAOA gene is linked to violent tendencies.
Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DNA analysis, 142 healthy men and women, who had no history of violence, were shown pictures of angry and fearful faces. Researchers found:
- Those with the low-expressing version of MAOA were more impulsive.
- People with low-expressing MAOA had different brain size and activity.
- Activity of those parts of the brain in males with low-expression MAOA differed more greatly than their female counterparts.
I can imagine findings like this could lead to therapy for the toughest members of our criminal society. Ethically speaking, it could be almost as bad as eugenics. There’s a fine line to walk between safety and freedom.
ABC News Online, March 21, 2006
Isn’t there a gene that cause people to shit themselves.
Though having the MAOA gene has been associated with violent behavior and personality disorders, I have lived with MAOA and through direct experience I have learned that with medicine and therapy,We are the exact same as any normal person.
Just because this is a recognised genetic mutation or defect, doest give the ok to commit crime related to violence. They are still aware of right and wrong.
There is nothing to worry about. The truth is nearly 40% of the US population has this gene that affects them to some degree. Most of the time is it an anti-depressant that cane help balance the enzymes of this gene. There was a recent episode of 20/20 or Dateline where they were discussing this gene and talked to a writer who has this gene and they were showing how he has a family history of killers, but how did he break the cycle? It is family and love. Everything in our life greatly influences our behavior, especially family and loved ones. I just did a case study on a famous criminal and how the environmental influences altered his life for the worse. But it all starts at home. As long as you have people who love you, and you love them, you will be fine. Best of luck!
I’m looking for more information on this. I recently overheard my doctor talking to mom about the possibility of this gene. I took matters into my own hands and looked it up myself seeing my mom won’t tell me about it. Well, can they run tests on me yet and if so, what?
and if u have a problem wit it oh well !!!!!!!!!
actually tree monkey youre wrong youre all wrong actually look up john gacy and serial killers its proven that every killer has maoa so hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
TAVARES. You are wrong with MAOA and MAOB, not every killer has it. MAOA and MAOB is a genetic mutation which you are born with. There have been case studies shown that even if you have it it doesn’t make you a killer.
For example Alcoholics are genetically predisposed to alcoholism, which is a known disease, but we don’t give drunks a pass if they decide to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and kill people. The law is interested in whether or not a person understands the difference between right or wrong. Some killers get pleasure in committing sadistic crimes that they know are against the law, the fact that some killers cover up their crimes is evidence of their conscience guilt.
I quote from someone who has MAOA and was abused by his alcoholic father “DNA isn’t destiny, we are all responsible for our own actions!”
We can not blame everything on genetics,upbringing or any one thing. Violence is a culmination of several things. First and foremost I would say violence is a break down in society and social standards. Even though a person may be prone to violence ,they must be made aware of the fact it isn’t tolerated in our society and that is where we have failed.
You do not reward a pet for doing wrong so why would we reward a member of the human race for doing wrong. Sending criminals to prison now days for commiting a crime is like sending them to school where they can learn how to beat the system. You can’t deter violence in this manner.
I loved this topic I heard on NPR today. I believe there is a reason for everything. People are not always rehibilitated in jail. Especially if they are let back out into society; worse off sometimes! People also need rehab, treatment and body work to help stimulate new positive pathways!
I’m always interested in what pre disposes people to violent behaviour. While one can be very assertive, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are aggressive or even mildly violent. Personally, I am assertive and mange to realise outcomes for myself without offending anyone. Do I have the MAOA gene? In Melbourne Australia, there is an increasing incidence of violent and knife related attacks on non aggressive citizens. Why? These incidences could be related to peer group behaviour, anger within families and employment, drug and alcohol fuelled. Anyway, the authorities are at pains to explain or even attempt to tackle the problem.
Is violent behaviour linked to low self esteem and high levels of testosterone and maleness and youth coupled with frustration in not realising goals? Is it linked to the “I can get away with this” view, when children, especially girls and teenage girls are approached by strangers and assaulted and or potentially abducted? The frequency with which these activities are taking place is huge since my childhood in the fifties. Is it the speed of change in technology which is driving all into overdrive. can’t keep up. “Too much is expected of me.”
Do political parties fuel prejudices about foreigners whether they be boat people [ and hence asylum seekers in Australia's case], the hysteria created by 9/11 in the US when white supremacy rears its head. I simply don’t know, but any hypotheses would be welcome.
Um, I would like to apologise for calling you sir. After doing alittle bit more research I discovered that you are in fact Female like me! ^_^ SO, I was wondering if you had anymore interesting tidbits of infomation I could use in my research paper.
Dear Sir, I am doing a project for my genetics class and my topic is how Violence can be genetic. I must Write a ten page paper by the end of this year. And I was wondering if you had any advice of follow up information to give me. I never knew how exciting genetics can be untill I took this class. I hope you can show me more.
1953 days ago
[...] Mutations in the MAOA gene, previously linked to violence, neophilia, and stress, found the following: [...]
2100 days ago
[...] Is it any wonder the Maori objected to the inclusion of their DNA in the National Geographic’s The Genographic Project? The latest research produced by New Zealand researcher Dr Rod Lea and his colleagues’ shows a connection between the frequency of specific monoamine oxidase (MAOA) gene variants and certain positive and negative behaviors in the Maori. The MAOA gene has previously been linked to violent behavior and neophilia. [...]
2126 days ago
[...] Several people have been searching for the MAOA gene over the last few days so I knew recent findings must have been interesting. I’ve previously posted about the gene’s association with violent behavior but after a little digging, I found that the surge of recent interest has to do with a reported a slightly dated study in the April 2006 issue of Psychiatric Genetics. [...]
Paul: Thanks for the comment. Although we’re not at that stage now, the hope is that gene therapy or perhaps pharmaceuticals will one day be developed which target specific genes and help to ramp up and dampen their action.
Even without gene-specific therapy, we could use general pharmaceuticals to control people labeled violent. Anyone who has the requisite profile of “violent genes” could be given a dose of something to keep them in a mental strait jacket.
I understand how this finding can help to identify people with possible violent tendencies, but how it can help with therapy for such people? How knowing a gene can help to develop medicine to treat condition that depends on it?
And, indeed, this brings up a lot of ethical questions.
Deb: You crack me up! I swear you say this every time.
This is HUGE. I so love genetic research!
Could the MAOA gene link to violent behavior without integrating culture?…
The web is buzzing with news from the National Institutes of Health and Mental Health, publishing a paper in PNAS, of a probable violence gene. ABC News Online, Genetics and Health, and Science Blog have wrote about it so far. The original NIH press re…