It could just be an additional test couldn't it? Genetic testing for susceptibility to aggression and violence

Mairi Levitt, Elisa Pieri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Much of the current genetic research into aggressive and violent behavior focuses on young people and might appear to offer the hope of targeted prediction and intervention. In the UK data are collected on children from various agencies and collated to produce at risk of offending identities used to justify intervention. Information from behavioral genetic tests could conceivably be included. Regulatory frameworks for collecting, storing and using information from DNA samples differ between the health service and the police particularly in the need for consent and the treatment of children. This paper draws on discussions with professionals involved with problem young people to consider their views on the utility of genetic research for tackling violent/aggressive behavior and the impact an identification of genetic susceptibility might have on their clients.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)189-200
Number of pages11
JournalNew Genetics and Society
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Behavioral genetics
  • Crime
  • Young people

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