Scientist Discovers Gene Linked With Violent Behavior

(IRRI Images/Flickr)

Punk rock legend Henry Rollins, prone to his own violent behavior, hosts a television show that investigates the origins of the short fuse. In “Explorer: Born To Rage,” Rollins and a diverse group of men agree to be tested for what is called “the Warrior Gene.”

Scientists believe if the gene is non-functioning in men, they may be more prone to violent behavior. “Born To Rage” airs at 9pm ET Tuesday on the National Geographic Channel.

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Lisanne

One thing that I think is not being discussed here is history. I am curious if this gene is apparent in specific ethnic groups. In ancient history, in many societies, certain classes were simply warriors. That was their profession, their life blood and often that of their fathers, grandfathers, etc. Have these scientists, and Rollins (who I think is so awesome), thought about the fact that this may simply be a genetic left-over from this time period. This aggression had a natural outlet in the actual occupation of the individual whereas now society is not structured in that manner so those who would be natural warriors now have the option to do something else. Just food for thought. Thanks, Lisanne
http://cyberfumes.blogspot.com Dave Eger

I wonder how many kids were medicated for ADD just because they were smarter than their teachers and unwilling to submit to their boring banter.
Richard Odom

Has there been research done to see if people with panic attacks might have this gene? The reasoning would be that panic attacks are in some circles regarded as aggression turned inward (see “Fight or Flight” reaction).
Laura

I’m a woman and think I have this gene. Why are we only discussing this in the mens? Can the ladies have it?
One Non-violent Frog

Henry Rollins in the interview: “…I’m not putting down bankers or anything.” I could be wrong but I think this is the first person this year not putting down bankers.
http://juggopop.com JuggoPop

I think I have this. Would love to know more about getting tested or joining a group to be tested, etc.

@Laura, they covered it shortly in the report.

Quote from Family Tree DNA’s web site that explains it perfectly.

“Men have one X chromosome, so they have only one copy of the MAO-A gene. Women have two X chromosomes and two copies of the MAO-A gene, so even if a woman has one copy of the Warrior Gene variant, she also has a normally functioning second MAO-A gene. Because of this, there is little or no difference in a woman’s behavior if she possesses one copy of the “Warrior Gene.” The effect on women’s behavior when she has two copies of the Warrior Gene is not known.”
Una Dougal

As I understand it from listening to the show, this gene is on the X-chromosome. So one would think that it would express like another disorder typically thought of as effecting males:Hemophilia. If a female inherits two copies of the gene, it would be expressed. Hemophilia in females is extremely rare, probably because its the sort of trait that used to kill most of its carriers.However, in certain environments being jumpy and violent might actually give a person a tactical advantage, and the ability to survive a war zone for example would insure their ability to pass on their genes.
How common is the rage gene? How likely is it that a female could be the offspring of a raging dad and a carrier mom (one who has a normal gene and a rage gene that does not express)? Is the rage gene more common in certain ethnic groups? My family is of Irish heritage, and the reputation of the Irish as a group tends toward short tempers ~ we’re the mascot for Notre Dame for crying out loud! So… what are the chances that women of certain ethnic heritage have the gene?
Micah

I would volunteer to get tested for this gene. While I’m at it, I would volunteer my father as well. I do not have violent fits (anymore) and live a pretty calm life, however I can “turn it on” at the drop of a hat. Is there someone I can contact?
Lou

I’m a 53-year-old woman and often feel angry and shout a lot at the radio, tv, other drivers.

So I wonder do I have the gene? Or is it just menopause?
Alex J

Think my brother had this, and with no real guidance on managing/channeling it he ended up turning on other people. It’s key that how (or perhaps even when/if?) this gene is expressed is subject to at least some influence from the environment. The overall outcome can be good OR bad for the individual and those around them.
http://topix.com not angry

So instead of the usual excuses for violent behavior, like “beaten/abused as a child”, “from a broken family”, “victim of drug abuse/alcoholism”, etc, etc, now these violent people will have another excuse for their behavior? GREAT! Wonder how long it will be before the “warrior gene” becomes another excuse for lawyers to get POS violators absolved of their crimes?

Just what we all need, another excuse for violent behavior!

Give me a break.
Michael McGinnis

This is just the sort of insightful analysis I’ve come to expect from this show… the behavioral effects of genetic variation as explained by a journalist and a punk rocker. Wow.
RC

I’ve listened to a lot of Henry’s spoken word and I’ve read a lot about him. His upbringing was real hell. His mother was very neurotic and his father was an abusive racist. Henry was seriously mistreated/neglected my his parents. Whether or not he or someone like him has this “warrior” gene, growing up with unfit parents is more than enough to make and keep someone enraged for life.
CJ Plourde

As a Buddhist practitioner, I wasn’t surprised when you mentioned the three monks tested for the gene actually had it. And that got me to thinking about whether they were Buddhist, Jain, or Christian monks. That would make a big difference.

Similarly, the Tibetan Buddhist, Chogyam Trungpa, spoke extensively about the Buddhist practitioner as the warrior. Likewise, the shamans of Mexico and Central America speak of the warrior. These are men, and sometimes women, who were spiritually realized beings. They not only prepared for physical battle, if that was necessary, but the battle was largely a battle with oneself, and reality. As such, the warrior was both a spiritual and a physical combatant, not a gang-banger, by any means.

That said, there is no reason the gang-banger, given the right education, cannot become a leader in his community. Many have, after years of crime, drug addiction, and brutality.

As such, this could also explain why the three monks possessed the gene. There are also many stories, some fable, some fact, in the Tibetan history that speak of brutal men who murdered innocent men and women, and who later attained enlightenment. I am sure these stories abound in many traditions, though I don’t know about them personally.

Instead of dubbing it the “sociopathy” gene, perhaps the “Warrior gene” is in fact an appropriate name.

In Wheel of Time, Carlos Castaneda speaks of the shaman warriors of Mexico and Guatemala:

“The spirit manifests itself to a warrior at every turn. However, this is not the entire truth. The entire truth is that the spirit reveals itself to everyone with the same intensity and consistency and consistency, but only warriors are consistently attuned to such revelations.”

With or without the gene, what is important, maybe, is how one lives one’s life. This is the message all warriors share.
AdriAnne

I just happen to be watching Dr.Phil and his show on Mon is Warrior (Rage) Gene. I often wondered during my relationship with a Samoan Man if it was a Samoan trait or something else. His temper was out of control. Not only violent but destructive cruel degrading. I made a point to end it 20 yrs ago but I now have a daughter that was never around her father and her temper is out of control. She spits, she break things, kicks down door and just recently threw my items in the yard one by one.. She was a very calm child, no addictions no violent household or neighborhood, but I have to ask myself if it is her new boyfriend or what but my house is getting destroyed and after the police come it is like nothing ever happened. Her father really did act the same way. Is it a Samoan Trait or Polynesian and I am African American did not have her until I was 28 y.o I am looking for an explanation before someone gets hurt or goes to jail for domestic violence since it is no longer gender specific. She is a beautiful girl but scary at times