Assignment task: Response that addresses the following:
To what degree do genetic and biological factors lessen or exempt a criminal offender's responsibility?
Should some genetic and/or biological factors qualify offenders for lighter sentences compared to other genetic and/or biological factors? Why or why not?
Genetics and Biological factors play an important role in criminal offenders. Some offenders commit crimes due to learned behaviors from parents; while others is in their genetics. In some instances, judges look at the situation and may lessen the charge or sentence; due to past family history. Judges have dealt with parents, grandparents and some great-grand parents and know the new family member have little to no control of their behavior. When looking deep into family history, it's kind of hard to hold the criminal completely responsible. Family dynamics still play a major role on how the children act. Sometimes, boys have more aggression. Alleles with two repeats (low enzyme expression) showed correlations with increased levels of delinquency and violent behaviors, as compared to the other MAOA-VNTR variants, while the allele with 4-repeat (high enzyme activity) was correlated with lower levels of impulsive aggression in boys( Tatarelli, R., Del Casale, A., Tatarelli, C., Serata, D., Rapinesi, C., Sani, G., ... Girardi, P. (2014).
I believe in some instances, lighter sentences should be given; based on the charge. This is because the individual has experienced some much from family members, until they feel it's the norm. Unless you have the person use their own mind or go a different direction, they will assume it's ok and will continue the negative behavior. Sometimes, the only way the behavior can be changed is by having a role model to look up to; to help make better decisions.
Reference:
Tatarelli, R., Del Casale, A., Tatarelli, C., Serata, D., Rapinesi, C., Sani, G., ... Girardi, P. (2014). Behavioral genetics and criminal responsibility at the courtroomLinks to an external site.. Forensic Science International, 237, 40-45.
Choose a response that is different from your own.
Respectfully agree or disagree with their argument regarding the extent to which genetic and biological factors limit criminal responsibility.