Misinformation, Misrepresentation, and Misuse of Human Behavioral Genetics Research

Kaplan discusses the limitations of human behavioral genetics studies, highlighting the research limitations inherent in studying humans and the narrow policy and legal applicability of results arising from behavioral genetics studies

Behavioural Genetics in Criminal Cases: Past, Present and Future

Researchers studying human behavioral genetics have made significant scientific progress in enhancing our understanding of the relative contributions of genetics and the environment in observed variations in human behavior. Quickly outpacing the advances in the science are its applications in the criminal justice system. Already, human behavioral genetics research has been introduced in the U.S. criminal justice system, and its use will only become more prevalent. This essay discusses the recent historical use of behavioral genetics in criminal cases, recent advances in two gene variants of particular interest in the criminal law, MAOA and SLC6A4, the recent expert testimony on behalf of criminal defendants with respect to these two gene variants, and the future direction of behavioral genetics evidence in criminal cases

Behavioral Genetics Research and Criminal DNA Databases

Kaye discusses DNA databanks and the potential use of such databanks for behavioral genetics research. He addresses the concern that DNA databanks serve as a limitless repository for future research and that the samples used in the databanks could be used for research into a crime gene

Considering Convergence: A Policy Dialogue About Behavioral Genetics, Neuroscience, and Law

Garland and Frankel issue a call for scientists, lawyers, courts and lawmakers to begin a critical dialogue about the implications of scientific discoveries and technological advances in criminal law, behavioral genetics and neuroscience

Behavioral genetics and taste

This review focuses on behavioral genetic studies of sweet, umami, bitter and salt taste responses in mammals. Studies involving mouse inbred strain comparisons and genetic analyses, and their impact on elucidation of taste receptors and transduction mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the effect of genetic variation in taste responsiveness on complex traits such as drug intake is considered. Recent advances in development of genomic resources make behavioral genetics a powerful approach for understanding mechanisms of taste

Integrating cultural evolution and behavioral genetics

The 29 commentaries amplified our key arguments; offered extensions, implications, and applications of the framework; and pushed back and clarified. To help forge the path forward for cultural evolutionary behavioral genetics, we (1) focus on conceptual disagreements and misconceptions about the concepts of heritability and culture; (2) further discuss points raised about the intertwined relationship between culture and genes; and (3) address extensions to the proposed framework, particularly as it relates to cultural clusters, development, and power. These commentaries, and the deep engagement they represent, reinforce the importance of integrating cultural evolution and behavioral genetics

Parental Guidance and Supervised Learning

We propose a simple theoretical model of supervised learning that is potentially useful to interpret a number of empirical phenomena. The model captures a basic tradeoff between sheltering the child from the consequences of his mistakes, and allowing him to learn from experience. We characterize the optimal parenting policy and its comparative-statics properties. We then show that key features of the optimal policy can be useful to interpret provocative findings from behavioral genetics.

Nature vs. Nurture: The Genetic Basis of Behavioral Security

This research-in-progress project seeks to explain persistent user resistance to security behavior from a biological perspective using the behavioral genetics paradigm. A synthesis of current literature on deception detection, cognitive neuroscience, decision making, and fraud victimization suggests that there may potentially be genetic basis for user susceptibility to security risks such as phishing scams. An ongoing study is being conducted to estimate the heritability of behavioral security by comparing correlation between 143 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins and that between 51 pairs of same-sex dyzygotic (DZ) twins. Zygosity of the twin pairs serves as the primary independent variable in the behavioral genetics analysis. Online security settings on the social media site Facebook and behavioral responses to simulated phishing scams are being collected as dependent measures of security behavior. Data have also been collected on potential mediating factors, such as personality traits, risk propensity, information technology usage, and protection motivation. By employing twin design, the classic methodology of behavioral genetics research, this study will be among the first to unpack the genetic versus environmental determinants of individual differences in behavioral security. Implications will be discussed with respect to security research as well as managerial practices

Implications regarding the use of behavioral genetics in the criminal courtroom

Throughout history, humans have sought to find the mechanisms that drive human behavior. The field of behavioral genetics has grown to fill this desire, as modern techniques for research are being used to find a link between genetics and human behavior. One of the most primal and historical human traits is our propensity for violence and antisocial behaviors. Over the years, adoption studies and twin method studies have shown us that these traits are heritable to a certain degree, but advances in scientific research have allowed researchers to identify specific genetic polymorphisms and genetic factors that are associated with certain behaviors. In courtrooms across America, these genetic claims are becoming a bigger part of the defense’s arguments, and it has become important to further explore the consequences and implications of using behavioral genetics in the courtroom. First, the validity of these claims was assessed by looking at two of the most common genetic defenses, XYY syndrome and Brunner’s syndrome (associated with a genetic abnormality in the MAOA gene). Since the first claims were made in court, it was found that the XYY claim simply does not hold its ground in the courtroom any longer. The Brunner’s syndrome claim is found to be valid for use in court, however careful review of the circumstances is still required. Changes in the interpretation of MAOA effects, its gene-environment interactions, and the inconsistencies in its use were examined to provide examples for why discretion is highly important. Upon establishing guidelines for validity, ethical issues were also considered, to identify the social implications of using these behavioral genetics data in the courtroom. Issues regarding determinism, labeling theory, racial tension, privacy, and discrimination are areas of daily life that are relevant to this increasing usage. Finally, a discussion is introduced on ways this data can be used outside the realm of criminal law, as it has also started to be used in civil law as well. The future of behavioral genetics research and the possibility of bringing neuroscience to the courtrooms are areas of discussion that show the need for the courts to understand the changing nature of defenses. In the end, this paper concluded that some key points must be achieved before use of behavioral genetics is as fair and ethical as possible. Unbiased education of judges and jury members is crucial before allowing the defense to present their interpretation of any genetic findings. More standards need to be in place to prevent the ethical dilemmas that arise. Courts must work towards standardizing approval for genetic claims to be made in court such that all defendants get a fair trial. In the end, an outright ban on the use of behavioral genetics in the courtroom would be irresponsible given the validity and importance of the claims. However its use must be carefully scrutinized, and the researchers, courts, and policy makers must work towards eliminating bias and the ethical concerns that arise, as well as carefully moving forward with research in the future