Friday, February 27, 2015


My Genes Made Me Do it!

When it comes to studying psychopathy, the ‘warrior gene’ has been made popular by the media. In, The Psychopath Inside Dr. Fallon explains that the gene leads to an under production of the enzyme known as MAO-A. Because of this under production, there are fewer enzymes to break down serotonin. This causes permanent alternations in the brain during fetal development. As an adult, the mutation severely inhibits an individual’s response to serotonin. Dr. Fallon says, “The brain areas that should turn off the anger and range after a minute or so are permanently altered so that there are fewer neurons to respond, and fewer serotonin receptors to turn on or off” (Fallon 80).




Dr. Fallon explains that the warrior gene is located on the X-chromosome. Some studies have shown that as many as 30 percent of X-chromosomes contain this gene. Males only have one X-chromosome, and the gene present is expressed. Females have two X-chromosomes, and the gene will only be expressed if it is present on both X-chromosomes. Males are more likely to experience increased aggression, and the additional testosterone in their systems only amplifies aggressive behavior more than in females (Fallon 81-82).
Recently, genetics has begun playing a role in the Justice system. One example of this is of is in the case of Rene Patrick Bourassa, who has been charged with murder. When he was arrested, he did not deny the murder and even walked the authorities through the steps. Mr. Wolfson of Newsweek reports that “[Bourassa] had been sleeping at the church that week, first outside, and then in the chapel, presumably to escape the heat and mosquitoes. When Wilson walked into the church that morning, Bourassa picked up a brass cross from the Communion table, beat her to death, and stole her car” (Wolfson, 2014, para. 4). While on trial, the defendant and his attorneys insisted that his brain made him do it.
            
            In the US justice system, in order to be convicted of a crime, it has to be proved that the accused was consciously aware of what they did, while they were doing it. This is based on the Model Penal Code, a 1962 document largely based on Freudian texts. Some would argue that this is outdated and needs to be with a more comprehensive model.
            Bourassa had the MAOA-3R variant of the MAOA gene. This warrior gene predisposed him to be more likely to hurt others. Bad genes alone won’t make you a killer. Dr. Fallon found that based on a small survey of 35 psychopathic offenders in youth detention facilities, 70% had been abused and mistreated during childhood. Dr. Fallon said, “I began to think that upbringing might play a significant role in creating a criminal after all” (Fallon 91). In 2014, a meta-analysis looked at 27 different MAOA studies and confirmed that being abused as a child effected how the MAOA gene was expressed. A possible way this happens is through epigenetic markings. This tag is one of many alterations to the genetic code that can be induced by environmental stressors
            Bourassa underwent extensive psychiatric interviews with psychiatrist James Walker. Newsweek reports, “It had been discovered that that he had been sexually molested at the age of 4 by a friend of his father; in the fifth grade, he was repeatedly raped by an older boy; and at age 21, he was brutally beaten in a mugging. As the science goes, Bourassa was from adolescence more likely to hurt others” (Wolfson, 2014, para. 14).
            The outcome of the case is that Bourassa was found guilty of capital murder. Normally he would have been sentenced to death, but instead got life in prison without parole. Because of his defense, he was able to get a more lenient sentence. Insanity pleas in the court system are rare. However, pleas such as Bourassa’s have been proven to result in lighter sentences. Current research on what triggers and drives aggressive and violent behavior, such as genetic predisposition towards psychopathic tendencies, might undermine previous accounts of what it means to commit a premeditated and conscious crime. A lot of questions arise as to how predisposed criminals should be treated in court. The Model Penal Code of 1962 desperately needs to be updated to remain relevant and applicable to today’s society.
            Can this type of psychopathic crime be prevented in the future? Today we have different screenings and genetic testing available and this sort of genetic screening could be more common in the future. Dr. Fallon says, “I’m for genetic testing at birth to determine which kids will be vulnerable to stress…the testing would be a key to preventing more psychopaths” (Fallon 104). Genetic screening could fine the children that need extra attention. The only proven prevention for psychopathy is a positive and safe environment for raising children. A lot more research still needs to be done, but the future might better equip us to prevent psychopathic killings. The future of the courtroom will continue to experience change as genetics and other factors play a role in behavior. Now, we wait and see how new research will affect the judicial system.

Fallon, J. (2013). The Psychopath Inside: A neuroscientist's personal journey into the dark side of the brain. New York, New York: Current.

Wolfson, E. (2014, March 4). My Genes Did It! Newsweek. Retrieved from


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