The Warrior Gene
Killers: Born or Formed?
Many times in life we see news reports, T.V shows, or movies about people who kill. While these horrible acts go on, we think to ourselves “How can someone be capable of doing this?”. Well the answer is mix of Monoamine Oxidase, or better known as “The Warrior Gene” and abuse. In this paper I will explain what the Warrior Gene is, how physical and emotional abuse affects it, and what it means for our Criminal Justice System today.
So what is Monoamine Oxidase? Monoamine Oxidase breaks down important neurotransmitters that happen in our brain. Some of these neurotransmitters include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. (Baum, Deborah. ““Warrior Gene” Predicts Aggressive Behavior After Provocation” Brown University, Jan 19, 2009) In DNA that is considered normal, it shows a balanced amount of these three neurotransmitters, which then creates a balanced mood. What causes the aggression in people is the mutation of this enzyme. If the gene is enhanced or inhibited this may cause one to show extreme aggression. When one has an imbalanced amount of MAO, he/she tend to have a imbalanced mood. Some of the other symptoms of this mutation include mood swings, …show more content…
violence, hypersexuality, depression and ADHD. Now it is not a matter of who has the gene and who does not, we all have it. Most people have very similar genes, but minor differences like MAOA change how each gene works. For example, people with the “low version” or a mutation, tend to have imbalanced behavior causing aggression vs someone who has the “high version” causing them to be balanced, resulting in normal behavior.
When it comes to people who kill, this gene mutation is very predominant.
People who have this gene mutation are at extremely high risk for violent crimes. What makes researcher believe that killers tend to have this gene is not because they kill, but because of how violent this gene can make a person. Although this gene plays a great factor on killers and their crimes. Physical and emotional abuse as a young child also plays in. Research from the Department of Justice shows that children who are exposed to violence, being a witness or victim are often affected with long-term physical, psychological, and emotional damage. Children exposed abuse like this are at a greater risk of engaging in criminal behavior later as an adult and continuing this type of abuse to their
families.
Many times in life we see news reports, T.V shows, or movies about people who kill. While these horrible acts go on, we think to ourselves “How can someone be capable of doing this?”. Well the answer is mix of Monoamine Oxidase, or better known as “The Warrior Gene” and abuse. In this paper I will explain what the Warrior Gene is, how physical and emotional abuse affects it, and what it means for our Criminal Justice System today.
So what is Monoamine Oxidase? Monoamine Oxidase breaks down important neurotransmitters that happen in our brain. Some of these neurotransmitters include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. (Baum, Deborah. ““Warrior Gene” Predicts Aggressive Behavior After Provocation” Brown University, Jan 19, 2009) In DNA that is considered normal, it shows a balanced amount of these three neurotransmitters, which then creates a balanced mood. What causes the aggression in people is the mutation of this enzyme. If the gene is enhanced or inhibited this may cause one to show extreme aggression. When one has an imbalanced amount of MAO, he/she tend to have a imbalanced mood. Some of the other symptoms of this mutation include mood swings, …show more content…
violence, hypersexuality, depression and ADHD. Now it is not a matter of who has the gene and who does not, we all have it. Most people have very similar genes, but minor differences like MAOA change how each gene works. For example, people with the “low version” or a mutation, tend to have imbalanced behavior causing aggression vs someone who has the “high version” causing them to be balanced, resulting in normal behavior.
When it comes to people who kill, this gene mutation is very predominant.
People who have this gene mutation are at extremely high risk for violent crimes. What makes researcher believe that killers tend to have this gene is not because they kill, but because of how violent this gene can make a person. Although this gene plays a great factor on killers and their crimes. Physical and emotional abuse as a young child also plays in. Research from the Department of Justice shows that children who are exposed to violence, being a witness or victim are often affected with long-term physical, psychological, and emotional damage. Children exposed abuse like this are at a greater risk of engaging in criminal behavior later as an adult and continuing this type of abuse to their
families.