Genes of violence, carriers of aggressive traits that can be passed on from parents to children

The number of violent incidents is still very difficult to suppress in society. There are many types, the perpetrator can be anyone, can happen at any time, and the victims are not indiscriminate. Starting from children, women, workers, and up to students can be involved in violence. This may make everyone wonder, why is it so hard to eradicate violence? The answer may surprise you.

Scientists discovered two genes for violence that can carry aggressive traits

A 2014 study was conducted in Finland on prisoners in prison for genetic analysis. The result, found two genes associated with violence and aggressive attitudes. The two genes are the MAOA and Cadherin 13 (CDH 13) genes. People who have the gene for violence are 13 times more likely to have a history of recurring violence.

The MAOA gene functions to break down neurotransmitters (a chemical in the brain to connect and provide information to brain cells) such as norepinephrine and serotonin. These two compounds affect a person's emotional state.

The MAOA gene is also associated with the risk of child abuse and the child growing up to become a sociopath. Judging by gender, males with mutations in the MAOA gene tend to show attitudes that lead to violence compared to women.

The second gene is the CDH13 gene. This gene functions to help the growth and connection of neurons (brain cells). So far, many studies have concluded that the CDH13 gene is also associated with diseases such as ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and alcohol addiction.

Violence turns out to be genetically inherited

Like other genetic codes, MAOA and Cadherin 13 can be passed from parents to children. In other words, children whose parents are prone to violence may also grow up to be violent offenders as well.

However, of course this is not a fixed price. The reason is, children or parents may carry this gene in the body. The problem is whether the gene is active or not.

Certain genes in the body can be activated under certain conditions. For example, the environment where the child grows up is full of violence by parents. As a result, genes for child abuse that were previously inactive can become active so that children have a greater tendency to commit acts of violence as well.

This is known as the chain of violence. It is very difficult to break this chain because people who already have these two genes are indeed more at risk of committing violence and passing on their aggressive traits to the next generation from generation to generation.

Thus, it is very important for parents to ensure that during childhood, children are in a safe and conducive environment. The method can be started from yourself, for example by not using violence as a method to instill discipline.

Violence is a complex behavior, one cannot blame genes alone

There are about 40 to 50 percent of humans who carry these two genes for violence. Seems like a lot, doesn't it? Although it may seem like a lot, not everyone who carries this gene is bound to be aggressive or violent.

Human behavior is influenced by the interaction between genes and environmental factors that will shape the structure of the brain and its perspective. Social conditions, culture, and educational factors play an important role in shaping a person's emotions, morals, and common sense.

That means that even if you have this gene, you can still prevent yourself from committing violence through a moral awareness. Moral awareness can help you sort out what kinds of behavior are acceptable in society and which are not.

Moral itself is the ability to distinguish which actions are right and acceptable in society from actions which are wrong and unacceptable. So, it is not impossible for people who carry these two genes for violence to resist the urge to commit violence.

Vice versa, you can't just blame your genes when someone is violent. The problem is, you should have an incentive not to commit violence.