What if scientists were able to prove that genetic defects at birth leave a child open to brain development that is prone to criminal behavior, such as "kleptos", "abusive people" "rapists" "serial killers." If that was the case, wouldn't it be seen more as a disease then a crime, and if these people get "cured" through genetic therapy, should they be held as accountable for something they had no control over just as much as someone who ended up with cancer? I know nobody wants to think this way, but I feel as we advance further in science, we will soon realize that old ideas of things painted in black and white. good and evil are outdated and its really nature and nurture that sets the tone.
2007-03-01 10:16:33 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I wouldn't say that crime is in the genes, but other things that lead to crime are in the genes. Things such as aggression have been proved to have a genetic predisposition, however there is also an environmental factor. If a child has this predisposition and grows up in a normal home they are less likely to become aggressive, however if they grow up in a violent home they are much more likely to be aggressive than a child without the predisposition. Many psychologist believe that many things have a genetic predispositions, maybe things such as self control, determining right from wrong, empathy for people (and victims), maybe these things do have a genetic predisposition. You couldn't really find a crime gene, just the factors that lead someone to commit a crime.
and I don't think we could ever cure them, you can help aggressive people cope with their problem, but you can never cure them. However way in the future who knows what we can do with altering genes before a child is conceived. We can currently increase the chances of having a certain sex child (its not 100% accurate) so maybe in the future they could alter genes to rid of these predispositions. However, if a child still grows up in the wrong environment or has the wrong friends then they can still develop into a criminal. Then that is something for schools to pay attention to, know the signs of what could turn into a serious problem in the future.
its a very complex issue and much of it is still not understood, but hopefully with the continued study of the subject we can better understand it.
2007-03-01 19:04:08 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a sociological example. There was a woman and at a young age was raped. found out she was pregnant. She then decided to keep the baby and give this child opportunities she never had. The child was a boy and grew up to be a very good guy. One day when the woman was sitting at home the police knocked on her door and told her they were looking for her son who had become a serial rapist. Father= rapist Son= Rapist. Now the son had never met the father and was raised with love, and had everything he needed. this does not mean that i think everyone takes after their parents. But genes do hold a big place when it comes to crime in my opinion.
2007-03-01 18:53:34 · answer #2 · answered by Future Mrs. Hamlet 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry but I would have to take the opposing side on this one. In no way could any sort of crime be in your genes. The idea of crime occurs when you are going through growth and development. For example, if you were raised in a troubled family, you could be more prone to having a criminal future. This does not have anything to do with genes in any way. Sorry....
2007-03-01 18:24:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A person is more then just the sum of their parts. Even if you have bad genes, every one has freedom of choice whether to do right or wrong. A person chooses to kill, steal, or destroy. They do not just do it on some genetic impulse. If I went up and slapped you on your face and said excuse me I did it because of my genes, you would still want to slap me back. We all have choices. Wrong is wrong, committing a crime is still against the law even if one has a terrible genetic make up. If it is so bad that one has to use it to commit crimes, then there is where the institutions for the criminally insane come into play. These people cannot be allowed on the streets to make life hell for the rest of us or cause fear.
2007-03-01 18:30:46 · answer #4 · answered by Cat 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is Crime in the genes?
HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!
:-| NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Parents like to blame GENES on their kids bad behavior thats really from their bad parenting. "My father was a bad man, thats why my son grew up to be a bad man, boo-hoo ;-(". When in reality, she/he didn't teach him anything like the difference from right and wrong and what makes right and wrong, good and bad.
2007-03-01 19:23:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, crime is not in the genes. It's in the indiviual. He/She knows right from wrong. So there for they shouldn't take something that isn't theirs.
2007-03-01 18:29:20 · answer #6 · answered by Blac-GalB.K.AYurlanda 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Maybe!!!
2007-03-01 18:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by dancingdoll 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋