Does Your Teen have the Gangster Gene?

Scientists have found a gene that may make it more probably that your teen will become a gang member, according to a recent article on ABCNew.com. This gene scientists are calling, MAOA, increase the chances of a teen joining a gang of engage in gang activity as well as use weapons in the gang. The mutation of the gangster gene is found in lower levels of the monoamine oxidase A protein.

Many teens who decide to join a gang do so because they are looking for something that their home life is not giving them. This includes feeling protected and accepted, which leads to feeling powerful. The biological gene may explain why some teens don’t join a gang if when looking for those qualities, they may not carry the gene that motivates them to engage in gang activity.

Another thing to consider is that many times, generations of family members join gangs. This could partly be due to environmental reasons, such as if their father/mother is part of gang and romanticizes the experience, or the home life is unstable and neglectful. With the biological influence, it just propels them even further into wanting to join a gang.

My last thought on this is how this gene is really affecting teens beyond gang activity. Perhaps this gene not only increases the chances of a teen joining a gang, but also engage in general criminal activity. For instance, what about inmates who were not part of gang, do they also possess this gene? It may be interesting to look at this aspect because it could be possible that the gene really predisposes teens to activities that gang members engage in, instead of just influencing a teen’s decision to join a gang.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironmal/2748965327/)

July 7th, 2009 by Marcelina Hardy | Posted in Genetics and Society | (0)