What are the genes of serial killers called? Is there really a gene or several that determine that a person can be a murderer ? Science has investigated this and a study from a few years ago seems to have linked genetics and crime, so we will find out below.
What are serial killer genes called?
Several groups of researchers and neuroscientists have come to the conclusion that there really is a crime gene that seems to be responsible for producing chemical substances that influence people to commit criminal acts.
This gene is called MAO-A and it is capable of producing an enzyme that acts on chemicals in the brain causing them to work negatively and, consequently, that they are capable of triggering aggression.
It should be noted, however, that not all people affected by this gene are potentially serial killers : the MAO-A gene is more or less active depending on the subject. In fact, when analyzing criminal personalities, it is necessary to take more into account what was a childhood characterized by trauma and anomalies ; factors that determine aggressive and criminal behaviors of people. The researchers affirm that the low activity of the gene in question would increase the level of excitement and reactivity in minors, but this is not the cause of a person dedicating himself to killing since, as mentioned above, the events that occurred in the past they are much more relevant than a high or low level of activity of the MAO-A gene.
The study that analyzed the genes of serial killers
It was in 2014 that the results of a study that had analyzed the DNA of 800 Finnish prisoners , imprisoned for violent and non-violent crimes, came to light in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. In some of them, they found not only the aforementioned MAOA gene but also CDH13 , both associated with extremely violent behavior.
The researchers from Europe and the United States who signed this investigation claimed to take into account environmental factors – a history of substance abuse (drugs, alcohol, etc.), antisocial personality and child abuse – without this changing the result.
The study was not designed, however, to explain the impact of genetic variations and, according to the authors, many other genes could play a role, directly or indirectly. In fact, they made it clear that the presence of both mutated genes are “quite common”, up to one in five people carry them, and among them the vast majority will never commit a rape, assault or murder.
Likewise, some individuals who do not carry these versions of the genes were also present in the ultraviolent group in the study.
As we have already said, the MAOA gene controls the production of an enzyme (monoamine oxidase) that participates in the elimination of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. The decrease in the level of activity of this enzyme in the mutant form of the gene has already been described and linked to the risk of crime. The CDH13 gene has been linked to impulsivity control disorders.
However, investigators have already made it clear in their day that the results of investigations like this one should not change the assessment of criminal responsibility. Ultimately, the results are not sufficiently precise, due to a lack of sensitivity and specificity, to allow screening as a preventive measure.
