Genes, environment and responsibility for violent behaviour : ‘Whatever genes one has it is preferable that you are prevented from going around stabbing people’

Levitt, Mairi (2013) Genes, environment and responsibility for violent behaviour : ‘Whatever genes one has it is preferable that you are prevented from going around stabbing people’. New Genetics and Society, 32 (1). pp. 4-17. ISSN 1463-6778

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Abstract

For the legal system to function effectively people are generally viewed as autonomous actors able to exercise choice and responsible for their actions. It is conceivable that genetic traits associated with violent and antisocial behaviour could call into question an affected individual’s responsibility for acts of criminal violence. Evidence concerning genes associated with violent and antisocial behaviour has been introduced in criminal courts in USA and Italy, either alone or with associated environmental factors. One example of a ‘genetic defence’ is based on low levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) activity, with a prevalence of around thirty percent in Caucasian males. In countries with trial by jury it is particularly relevant to consider the views of publics on criminal liability and the significance they assign to evidence citing genetic influences on behaviour. This article draws on largely qualitative research looking at participants’ explanations of, and assigning of responsibility for, violent and antisocial behaviour where environmental or genetic influences are claimed. Genetic factors were not viewed deterministically by participants but were considered by most to be irrelevant to personal responsibility. Notions of human agency, free will and choice were crucial to explanations of problem behaviours and ensured that offenders could be held responsible despite evidence on environmental and genetic factors.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
New Genetics and Society
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/philosophy
Subjects:
?? behavioural geneticsgenetics and crimeresponsibilityphilosophyhealth(social science)geneticsissues, ethics and legal aspectshealth policyb philosophy (general) ??
ID Code:
54430
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
22 May 2012 13:49
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 12:50