Genes and Antisocial Behavior: Perceived versus Real Threats to Jurisprudence

Abstract

Combine the following: medicine, ethics, jurisprudence, behavioral genetics, and antisocial behavior (ASB). Given our level of scientific knowledge today, this combination is more akin to a cerebral smorgasbord than to a dinner where starter, entree, wine, and dessert are carefully chosen to complement one another. Hence, any survey of menus must be highly selective. We accept as a given that there is a noteworthy genetic influence on ASB no matter how it is defined. In terms of behavioral research, the magnitude of that genetic influence is substantial, but so is the impact from the environment, broadly defined to include pre-and post-natal, physical (e.g., anoxia, fetal alcohol syndrome, or crack) as well as psychosocial (e.g., quality of parenting, ethnic culture, or religion) elements.We will discuss some of the major issues raised by this fact of genetic influence that have most applicability to topics usually raised by observers outside of behavioral genetics.