Antisocial behavior may be genetic, but some forms may also be triggered by environment, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Montreal and Uppsala University in Sweden.
For the study, the researchers examined three different gene variants--MAOA, BDNF, and 5-HTTLPR. They found variants in each of the genes from kids that came from abusive environments that were also associated with spikes in antisocial behavior.
"The implications of the study are incredibly important. First of all, what it shows is that it is not the gene that leads the behavior, but the gene that reacts with environment. Genes interact with each other and other environmental factors," the researchers explained.
They add, "The results show how fragile people are- when good things happen to the people with these gene variants, outcomes are better than average. When bad things happen to these individuals, outcomes are worse than the average. It's this notion that genes are altering sensitivity to the environment. Some people are more sensitive than others, and therefore the environment really matters."
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