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Criminal gets lower sentence because of his genes

Sat, 11/21/2009 - 10:56pm — Joshfulton.blogspot

Neuroethics and Law:

An Italian court has cut the sentence given to a convicted murderer by a year because he has genes linked to violent behaviour — the first time that behavioural genetics has affected a sentence passed by a European court.

[...]For the new report, Pietro Pietrini, a molecular neuroscientist at Italy’s University of Pisa, and Giuseppe Sartori, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Padova, conducted a series of tests and found abnormalities in brain-imaging scans and in five genes that have been linked to violent behaviour — including the gene encoding the neurotransmitter-metabolizing enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA).

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I don't know if I like this.

By jumpjet on Sat, 11/21/2009 - 11:47pm

It sends a little chill up my spine. It's genetic determinism.

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Nothing is true; everything is permitted.

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I got the same chill

By Zolodoco on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 10:04am

Setting precedents like that could make it easier to declare someone criminally insane without a history of violence and mental illness.

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