The Genetics of Violence?

National Public Radio's news program "Morning Edition" aired a story about a conference on the genetics of violence. This conference is convening to discuss recent but inconclusive evidence that some people may be genetically predisposed to violent behavior. Apparently, a 1992 attempt to convene this conference was cancelled because of controversy over the race issue. Some feared that this research might give racists more ammunition.

While this news report covered the race issue, it ignored a much more potentially dangerous angle-- that of personal responsibility.

If a link between genetics and violent behavior is theorized, it provides criminals (of ANY color) with yet another built-in excuse for violent behavior. The last thing we need is more justification for rape and murder and more perpetrators acting like victims.

Even if there is a genetic tendency, this is no excuse. We all have tendencies, SOME OF WHICH WE SHOULD NOT ACT UPON. If we fail to restrain those tendencies, we must face consequences. There is simply no other way to conduct a safe and orderly society. This tendency toward violent or otherwise immoral behavior has a name. It's a very unpopular name nowadays. People would much rather call it a "weakness" or some other benign term. But glossing over the truth won't save anyone from its consequences. There's only one Solution...

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Warren Kramer is the founding editor of Daily Wisdom. He operates a graphic design service Warren Kramer&Associates, www.warrenkramer.com, which offers visual design & illustration for printed communications & web sites. He also does photographic retouching & restoration (http://kramerimaging.com/) and plays solo jazz & classical-style sacred guitar (http://guitartistic.com/).