Guns: all in the genes?

An American criminologist claims that whether or not a boy joins a gang is substantially influenced by his genes

Not only that, but the level of violence used by individual gang members can also be predicted courtesy of the same gene.

In a study to be published in Comprehensive Psychiatry later in the summer, Dr Kevin Beaver, of Florida State University, focuses on a variant of a gene called monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and nicknamed the 'Warrior Gene'. It is known to influence levels of serotonin and dopamine, which in turn influence mood and behaviour. Previous research has already linked a less active variant to anti-social and violent behaviour.

His study assigns even more significance to the gene by implicating it in gang membership. Dr Beaver, who studied the DNA data and lifestyle information of 2,500 adolescents, said: "We also found that variants of this gene could distinguish gang members who were markedly more likely to behave violently and use weapons from members who were less likely to do either."

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