genetic explanation evaluation

• it is highly unlikely that a single gene is responsible for all criminal behaviour. it likely to be an interplay of a number of genetic and environmental factors
• one particular interest is the MAOA (monoamine oxidase) gene
• the MAOA gene has been implicated in a number of studies

  • Brunner et al analysed the DNA of 28 male members of a Dutch family who had a history of violent criminal behaviour such as rape and murder
  • they found that they shared a variation of the MAOA gene which led to abnormally low levels of MAOA
• MAOA is the enzyme responsible for breaking down certain neurotransmitters in the brain, so this genetic variation leads to atypical neurotransmitter levels