Scientists Find Genetic Link T Bad Behaviour

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 7-20-2004 | David Derbyshire

[blam]

Scientists find genetic link to bad behaviour

By David Derbyshire, Science Correspondent
(Filed: 20/07/2004)

The throw of the genetic dice helps to determine whether you see the world with pent up anger or placidly turn the other cheek, a study suggests.

Researchers have found evidence that some people inherit a genetic make-up that makes them more prone to aggression and violence.

However, the "bad behaviour gene" is activated only if people were neglected or abused as children, scientists say.

The findings add to the growing evidence that the "nature versus nuture" debate is far too simplistic.

Behaviour is actually influenced by a complex interaction between genes and environment, researchers say.

The research raises the possibility that babies could be screened for genetic mutations that increase the risk of excessive aggression later in life. Scientists may also develop drugs to reduce the risks of violent offending in adolescents and young adults.

Although the study was carried out in monkeys, its findings closely mirror previous research on genes and aggression in humans.

The team, led by Dr Steven Suomi of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, Maryland, looked at the links between aggressive behaviour, genes and upbringing in rhesus monkeys.

Between five and 10 per cent of wild and captive male rhesus monkeys are extremely violent. They pick fights with the strongest males and turn play fights among their siblings into bloodbaths.

Dr Suomi split the monkeys into two groups. Half were deprived of their mothers at birth and reared with their brothers and siblings for the first six months. The rest were reared naturally.

The scientists then looked for a gene called 5HTT that has been linked to impulsive aggression. The gene is involved in the way the brain handles the feel-good chemical messenger serotonin and comes in two varieties - a "short" mutation that leads to low serotonin levels, and a "long" variety that leads to higher levels.

The animals who had the short, "bad behaviour" version of the gene and who were separated from their mothers developed into ultra-violent monkeys.

However, the short version of the gene had no affect on the behaviour of monkeys raised by their mothers. "There is a buffering effect of good mothers," said Dr Suomi, yesterday. "It is the gene-environment interaction."

Monkeys with the longer version of the gene were placid, irrespective of whether they were separated from their mothers or not.

The findings highlight how good parenting can counteract the effects of bad genes. It also helps to explain why some children grow into well-adjusted, happy and normal adults despite suffering the most appalling traumas.

"We have to be careful about making comparisons across species," he added. "All we have demonstrated is an interaction between one particular gene and the environment. There could be many, many more."

However, the monkey research mirrors a study by researchers at King's College London in 2002.

Then a team found that the risks of anti-social behaviour among maltreated young boys depended on another gene - called monoamine oxidase A, or MAOA.

Prof Donald Pfaff, from Rockefeller University, New York, who has carried out similar work in animals, said more research was needed.

The reason why neglect and abuse in childhood appeared to activate the serotonin transporter gene and lower serotonin levels in the brain remained a puzzle, he said.

[blam]

Please correct the title, add a 'o' to the word 'To'. Thanks.

[bikepacker67]

Researchers have found evidence that some people inherit a genetic make-up that makes them more prone to aggression and violence.

For most of our history, that allele was a prerequisite for leadership.

[Azzurri]

This explains Bill Clinton. He was a victim, you see.

[martin_fierro]

Researchers have found evidence that some people inherit a genetic make-up that makes them more prone to aggression and violence.

And others inherit the gene for passive-aggressiveness. <|:)~

[VOA]

However, the "bad behaviour gene" is activated only if people were neglected or abused
as children, scientists say.

And since they had an unpleasant experience, they decide to make everyone
else's life h-ll.
Sounds like more than a few jack@$$es I've had to deal with. Now I almost wish I'd
just kicked their butts and read them the riot act instead.

I think I see some academics laying groundwork for legal defenses...
and pocketing some big "expert witness" fees working for the defense.

[blam]

"I think I see some academics laying groundwork for legal defenses... and pocketing some big "expert witness" fees working for the defense."

I agree. "I couldn't help myself, I was born this way."

[bayourod]

Anyone who has seen "The Bad Seed" knows this.

[explodingspleen]

However, the "bad behaviour gene" is activated only if people were neglected or abused as children, scientists say.

Wow. Scientists. Guess I will believe everything this study concludes because apparently they have some unnamed members of the scientific community as references.

Wouldn't it be funny to read a line like: "The nation needs more defense spending, politicians say" "Gladiator is a pretty-swell flick, actors say" "The moon is a great place to visit, astronauts say"?

Behaviour is actually influenced by a complex interaction between genes and environment, researchers say.

Wow. Researchers.

Scientists may also develop drugs to reduce the risks of violent offending in adolescents and young adults.

Great idea, let's dope the next generation into behaving how the government determines to be ideal. Nothing could possibly go wrong with that. . . .

Although the study was carried out in monkeys, its findings closely mirror previous research on genes and aggression in humans.

In other news, a new study has discovered that there may be a determining genetic factor in children who bite and howl and throw feces.

[LiteKeeper]

YEC INTREP

[Skwidd]

More 'genetics is magic!' BS.