Is there a genetic susceptibility to engage in criminal acts?
Debates about criminality have long focussed on the relative contributions of environment and genetics as components of antisocial and destructive behaviour. Although genetic explanations for criminal behaviour have been circulated since the emergence of modern criminology in the 1700s, until recently, there has not been the scientific evidence to substantiate or refute any claims. The past decade or so has seen an increase in research on the genetics of behaviour, including antisocial behaviour. The findings of some of this research have inspired media speculation about its policy implications. Many criminologists are understandably concerned about the potential misuse of this research given the earlier historical experiences with the eugenic use made of biological explanations of crime, and of genetic explanations in particular.
