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 Some would argue that this is outdated and needs to be with a more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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