Mark Dadd: From Bad To The Bone

Evil is a dark and powerful force that can result in destructive consequences within societies and around the world. Some humans are capable of diabolical behavior without feeling remorse or compassion. Daily we are inundated with news of barbaric behavior which pushes all boundaries of the moral code known to mankind. Although the process of evolution has instilled a modicum of civility and humanity in us, science and research have provided undeniable evidence that we are naturally born as evil beings.

Mark Dadds, a parenting expert and a Professor at the University of New South Wales conducted a study called ‘Bad to the Bone’. Dadds believes there is a correlation that “fathers and sons share some genetically inherited neurological deficits” (Griffin). Dadds goes on to explain that “…we also have to accept that even good parents can have mean children” (Griffin). Kids who have had completely normal childhoods, could go on and commit evil acts as adults. In other words, nurture, where there is the most hands-on parenting, cannot supersede nature. In psychologist Steven Pinker’s book, The Blank Slate, he describes how “genetics and neuroscience are showing that a heart of darkness cannot always
Paul J. Zak’s research “...focused on the chemistry behind behaviors because people seldom offer clear explanations for why they are doing what they are doing”. His research has found that the brain releases a neurotransmitter and the hormone ‘oxytocin’ contributes to virtuous behaviors. According to Zak, “Oxytocin release makes us feel empathy and by doing so increases our sensitivity to the feelings of those around us”. At the same time those who do not have an oxytocin response tend to lack feelings of compassion and empathy. Generally we consider humans as moral species however, under extreme environmental circumstances, the rule of ‘survival of the fittest’ will always