People do not become violent criminals under the influence of circumstances and those around them, they are born that way, say Swedish researchers who have recently completed their scientific work on genetic predisposition to violence.
Scientists have identified two genes that may be associated with highly aggressive behavior. One of these is a variant of cadherin 13 (CDH13), which is involved in neural communication and has been associated with the impulsive behavior of extremely violent criminals.
Experts from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden believe that most violent crimes are committed by a small group of anti-social repeat offenders. In this regard, they decided to find out why this is happening.
Previous research has also found links between certain genes and violent crime, including type A monoamine oxidases (MAOA), which impair dopamine processing. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain that affects the ability of cells to send signals to other nerve cells. Previous studies examining the relationship between MAOA and violence have been inconclusive.
Professor Jari Tiihonen and his colleagues from the Institute analyzed the genes of 895 Finnish citizens found guilty of crimes by the court. Among the participants in the experiment were those who were convicted of non-violent crimes, such as drug possession or theft, as well as those who committed particularly violent crimes such as murder and violence.
Researchers have discovered a possible link between violent crime and the MAOA. In an additional study that included the study of genome association, scientists identified a gene responsible for the behavior of particularly violent criminals.
The researchers, whose findings were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, suggest that low levels of dopamine processing, which is associated with MAOA, may lead to higher levels of aggression when drunk, which increases the risk of aggressive behavior, writes Mail Online.
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Note that scientists are increasingly claiming that human habits and inclinations are laid at the genetic level. So, earlier scientists from Harvard University stated that genes determine the love for coffee. Researchers have managed to pinpoint the "coffee gene" responsible for a person's response to an invigorating drink. They say that although it does not differ significantly from person to person, the gene can affect health.
