Posted on 08/09/2006 6:51:47 PM PDT by blam
Violence is blamed on 'warrior gene' in the Maoris
By Paul Chapman in Wellington
(Filed: 10/08/2006)
Maori leaders reacted furiously yesterday after a scientist said their race carried a "warrior gene" that predisposed them to violence and criminal behaviour.
Dr Rod Lea, a genetic epidemiologist, told the International Conference of Human Genetics in Brisbane that Maori men were twice as likely as Europeans to bear monoamine oxidase, a gene that is also connected with risk-taking behaviour such as smoking and gambling.
Performing arts group Pounamu Kai Tahu perform the haka
He was reported as saying the discovery went "a long way to explaining some of the problems" Maoris had in New Zealand.
Dr Lea's findings come at a sensitive time after a series of high-profile cases of deaths and assaults of children in Maori families.
Outraged critics accused him of reinforcing a "cultural stereotype" portrayed in the 1994 film Once Were Warriors, with its violent character Jake Heke.
Tariana Turia, a co-leader of the Maori party, said the findings were incredible. "I have never felt criminally inclined," he said. "And I'm very pleased to say that the majority of Maori people don't feel criminally inclined.
"Once were warriors? Once were gardeners, once were astronomers, once were philosophers, once were lovers.
"The over-representation of monoamine oxidase… has suddenly turned into a recipe for producing clones of Jake Heke."
Brian Dickson, a respected Maori elder, said: "I could wrap all his words up in one - colonisation."
Dr Lea, who works at the government-owned Institute of Environmental Science and Research in Wellington, said before his presentation: "It is controversial because it has implications suggesting links with criminality among Maori people. Obviously, this means they are going to be more aggressive and violent."
He said that the gene could also explain the Maoris' successful historical migration from islands in the Pacific when they first peopled New Zealand.
Dr Lea said lifestyle and upbringing were also "relevant" to whether violent traits developed. As the storm of controversy broke around him last night he appeared to back-pedal somewhat, insisting that he was interested only in the genetic basis for disease among Maoris.
Recent cases of child abuse have highlighted a problem of domestic violence in New Zealand that a government report described as "endemic" and "shameful".
A Maori family in Auckland, whose three-month-old twins died after suffering head injuries, were described by Helen Clark, the prime minister, as a "Once Were Warriors-type family". Relatives refused to co-operate with police.
In wider statistics, Maoris are convicted of more than 65 per cent of all offences despite making up only 15 per cent of the population.
I just had dinner with my neighbor who is from New Zealand and we had a conversation about the Maoris. He said he grew up with/around the Maoris and they are the most fearless and violent people he has ever seen...he is a big rugby fan and said that the team(s) in New Zealand are dominated by the Maoris and they beat everyone they play. His favorite rugby team is named 'All Blacks.'
Based on the conversation I had with him about an hour ago, there's something to this study.
Bloody savages!
The Maori may be the last men on the planet.
I always wondered why they always said "fierce" before referring to "Maori warriors".
Hmmmm.
Hmmm. I wonder if a .45 could reprogram their genes?
Perhaps it is just coincidence that they invited the good DR. Lea for supper. He had better check the menu in advance though.
JUNK SCIENCE!!!
"I could wrap all his words up in one-colonisation"
Oh sure, blame the nasty white Westerners.....
Oh lordy, they'll be pathologizing the Scotch Irish next.
"Maori men were twice as likely as Europeans to bear monoamine oxidase, a gene that is also connected with risk-taking behaviour such as smoking and gambling."
Can't have that now, can we?
The All-Blacks are New Zealand's national team....
To begin with, Monoamine oxidase is not a gene it is a brain chemical. It is also associated with depression. It has nothing to do with a racial basis for aggression, since other people with high levels are not overly violent.
Then they are sort of like Killer Bees. You've got to exterminate them before they contaminate the entire human race.
Dominated by Polynesians in general.
LOL!
As a man/warrior of Scotch-Irish descent I instantly wondered if this would describe us. I am 9th generation in this country and every generation of males in my bloodline has been filled with wildass warriors. Perhaps this genetic component explains some of it?
Nature or nuture? I don't pretend to know, but we fit the stereotype as do many others.
Which was written by a Maori, New Zealand's one authentic neoconservative.
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