Genes Influence Criminal Behavior

It turns out bad temperament can be derived parents to their children. A recent study showed surprising results, namely the criminals would lose his evil behavior.

The idea that bad behavior is recorded in the human gene was instantly sparked controversy. Because, during this most criminologists argue that crime is a cause of environmental factors, such as poverty. But now researchers claim that human genes can play a significant role to the possibility of changing the nature of man to do crime at a later date.

A study from the University of Texas at Austin, United States, published in the journal Criminology found, meski no single gene that cause criminal behavior, allegedly there are a number of variables that play a role in the onset or reduce bad behavior.

One of the researchers, J.C. Barnes, said there are hundreds, even thousands, of genes that will gradually increase the likelihood that a person involved in the crime, though likely only 1 percent. "But this is still a genetic effect. And that's important," he said. The researchers studied three groups of respondents, namely those who throughout his life continually violated, they are only committed crimes in their teens, and people who always obey the law.

They focus on what is called a factor of "offenders", which usually indicates an anti-social behavior during adolescence. Such behavior will change to crime or violence when people were growing up.

Based on data from 4,000 people from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, researchers found, the behavior seems to violate the juvenile offender is more influenced by environmental factors. But similar things not found in those who become criminals for life. Twin methodology to determine the relative influence of various environmental factors and lifestyle do not managed to identify which genes are responsible. However, these methods analyze 70 percent likelihood of someone committing a crime who are genetically triggered.

Barnes said the overall conclusion from these studies is the influence of genetic factors in the "offender" play a greater role than environmental influences. "Genetic factors play a big role and so will the environment. For juvenile offenders age, environmental factors seem most important," he said. *** [TELEGRAPH | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO 3779]