Our team members:
Halee R. and Maria S.
Period 7
The Stage of Life It Would Occur:
Any stage or age.
Genetic Engineering Concept:
The Psych Gene.
Most serial killers, or people who have committed at least three murders, are psychopaths. A psychopath is a person with a psychopathic personality. Psychopathy can manifest as antisocial or immoral behavior, the absence of the ability to have meaningful personal relationships, failure to learn from experiences, egocentricity [which is having or regarding the self or the individual as the center of all things], the inability to feel remorse, or other characteristics. Psychopathy can controversially be traced through the X-linked MAOA gene, which causes an increase in aggression and violence. Although rarely, Brunner syndrome is due to a section of the MAOA gene [known commonly as the low-expression gene and medically as MAOA-L]. Brunner syndrome causes hypersexuality, sleep disorders, extreme mood swings, and violent tendencies. This specific MAOA-L gene is extremely common, found in about 40% of the population. Obviously, a majority of this 40% have never committed a crime before, but Austria, Italy, and the U.S. has discovered that males with this variant had brain structures that predispose them to violence. What’s being determined now is what we’ll do with this information: allow the public to see who contains the gene or keep this information buried, for we should not redesign life.
The benefits for men with the psych gene is that, when crimes are committed, their genetic factors are taken into play when they’re being sentenced. This benefits these men because they won’t get as much time as they could have gotten if they committed that crime and didn't have MAOA. One of the other benefits is that they are typically taller than most other boys and men .This raises their chance of assuming the dominant position at school and with other friends. Their learning strengths include mathematics, science, art, visual learning such as videos and concept maps, and practical subjects such as woodwork or cooking. This helps in school to fit in more and gain knowledge for their life ahead. Another good thing is that scientists are finding a way to treat boys with the genetic disorder, which will leave us with more people on the earth to keep the world spinning. By the time these boys reach adulthood they will have outgrown their speech problems, which is good in the way that they can believe that they are getting to a more normal state of mind.
The risks of the X-linked MAOA gene could potentially be harmful to our society. Unnecessary safety measures could be taken against those with this gene; for example, locking those with the “psych gene” away in a prison or isolated area. This could take up much needed land area and waste millions, even billions, of dollars. Also, the MAOA gene gives those with it an increased vulnerability to ADHD, autism, and possibly asthma and epilepsy. Because of the large percentage of people with this gene, there’s a greater chance of more people with an increased susceptibility to the previously mentioned disorders. To take care of the ill, money is needed, as well as more space to house and treat each patient. In addition, the “psych gene” is slowly becoming an excuse for criminals’ behavior, and after trial, the accused receive shorter sentences. What will happen if our most dangerous criminals get to just walk out prison, and are free to commit more murders? In today’s society, these are the possibilities and risks we have to consider; it’s no longer ho we’ll get the information, it’s what you do with it.
Interview Questions
To biology teacher: "How would you react to your child testing positive for the “psych gene”? Would you have raised any of your children differently if he or she had this gene?"
To students: If you tested for the psych gene and discovered you were a carrier, what would be your first reaction? Would your perspective on yourself or life change because of the knowledge you obtained from this test?
To psychology teacher: "Do you believe in the “psych gene” and the threats it poses? Why or why not?"
We believe humans should consider redesigning life. Having the technology to read our genes is extremely beneficial. One thing genome sequencing has done for us is allow us to make specific medications to either stall or treat genetic disorders. Another thing genome sequencing has done for us is allow us to know what genetic disorders we’re carriers for, in case we’d like to know because of our definite plans to have children one day. Furthermore, genome typing has allowed us to detect genetic problems and treat them before they become too serious. We believe, as long as we’re redesigning life in a better way, we should proceed and begin to use more of the concept in more areas of work such as the criminal field. We believe the concept of redesigning life could be a giant step in the positive direction.
Link to our slideshow presentation
Mrs. Rosen's interview
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