Given past abuses of genetics to justify discrimination, there is a heavy responsibility to accurately report the implications of new findings on human behavior and health. The author hasn't referenced his source to allow others to draw their own interpretations. I presume he's referring to: Foley, Debra L, et al. General Psychiatry, Volume 61(7), July 2004, p 738–744. These researchers found that a variation in the MAO-A gene - which led to low activity of the protein product - could lead to a predisposition to conduct disorder . This predisposition ONLY occurred when a child was also exposed to any of three known environmental risk factors for conduct disorder: interparental violence, parental neglect, and inconsistent discipline. These environmental risk factors on their own are associated with increased incidence of conduct disorder. Interestingly, low MAO-A activity ALONE was associated with a DECREASED incidence of conduct disorders. Don't be so quick to label based on genetics.

Jennifer Bojanowski, Certified Genetic Counselor, Honolulu, HI

Yes, what Ken and Greg write are indeed of value in the debate, but the crux of the matter is that the report claims that certain individuals are "predisposed" towards certain behaviour. It does not claim that they will express this behaviour. I would like to add they are just more likely to exhibit it in certain triggering circumstances. We are able to choose our behaviour to a certain degree but some individuals do seem have a more influenced selection list than others.

Lorraine, Helsinki, Finland

I think it is fairly obvious that physical characteristics are transmitted from parents to their children. We look at the parents and then at the children and it is clear who they look like…..at least most of the time. However, the idea that psychological characteristics are being transmitted through gene transmission is “politically incorrect”. Why?

There are some points that I would take umbrage with however. As someone has already pointed out, just because someone has a genetic predisposition toward some type of behavior it does not mean they are incapable of controlling themselves. Morality is taught and practiced through discipline. We have an intellect. We are not animals, which aren’t capable of such advanced moral concepts and merely fill out their role as genetically motivated and controlled biological automatons. The programming allows for a fantastic about of variation, but they cannot be held morally accountable for their actions as humans must be. This is where the personal training from good families plays such an important role. It clearly is a combination of both personal training and genes and genes simply play a larger role than has been accepted in the past.

I have argued for years that people aren’t entirely capable of controlling their behavior (especially their ability to reason clearly) because of what I believed to be genetic flaws. That doesn’t mean they must be excused. No society can survive with such an open ended concept. However, you can’t keep blaming the parents upbringing for every choice their children make. After all, no one had a better parent that Satan.

Rich, Mentor, Ohio