Aurelia Ciacci
Position Paper #8
5/8/13
The matter upon violence and its genetic roots
Violent behavior has always been part of human nature, with violence being the action of physically or mentally hurting another person. Although it might be less dominant in certain individuals, when it prevails in some of them the consequences can bring serious harm to the person, and the ones around him or her as well. Consequently, being aware of the threat that an aggressive demeanor poses, once scientists found out it is triggered by the MAOA gene, the question is: should something be done about it? As far as I am concerned, I strongly believe that it would be wrong and immoral to step aside and watch people suffer and hurt other individuals only because of their genetic make up. Today's society should, as a matter of fact, demonstrate its concern about violence and make use of this discovery to at least try to reduce it. I'm not suggesting, though, to take the gene out, as its expression might be linked to other genetic information, but instead to help individuals predisposed to violent behavior through counciling or early intervention. In this way, many positive consequences may follow: violence and crime would be reduced, economic costs to society would be cut, and finally, treated individuals would be freed from anger and given the chance to live a better life. I'm aware of the fact that it is easier said than done, but taking the great and hard commitment of dealing with violence demeanors would turn today's world in a safer and more peaceful society.
The level of crime in the United States has been constantly decreasing in the past few decades, but the crime that is committed has a higher intensity rate than it used to. As a matter of fact, while criminals used to target a smaller number of victims, recently they became more comfortable with the idea of hurting more people at once, taken as examples the Connecticut shooting and the Boston bomb terrorist...