ASF Gene Testing For Identifying Antisocial Behavior

Deliverable Length: 2-3 pages For this assignment, assume that, in fact, science has been able to identify the particular gene that is associated with an increased risk of adult antisocial behavior in that persons with this gene are four times more likely to commit a felony from the ages of 18–30 than are persons who lack this gene (call the culprit gene ASF, short for AntiSocial Factor). What should you do with this information? For this task, you may want to research how governments have used genetic information in the past (e.g,, phrenology was routinely used in the 19th century in America and Europe, and has since been discredited). Specifically, you are to create and justify a policy regarding how this knowledge should be used. Should people be tested for ASF? If they test positive for it, what should be done? It is permissible to answer in the negative: you can argue that people should not test for ASF and should not use that information for policy purposes. 

Running head: ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
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1ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Abstract
The purpose of this assessment is to identify whether the government should implement ASF
gene testing method or not. This assessment is in favor of the above phrase, the actions
needed to be taken against the persons who are ASF positive, the safeguards considered for
this method are discussed in detail. From this assessment, it can be observed that ASF gene
testing method will help the FBI department to scientifically analyze the psychological
disorders in a person and will assist them to identify the criminals and reduce the rate of
crime in the city.

2ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Table of Contents
Discussion..................................................................................................................................3
Will it be beneficial if the US government makes mandatory gene testing for detecting
ASF?.......................................................................................................................................3
Actions taken against people, receiving positive results from the ASF gene test..................3
Safeguards while using ASF testing......................................................................................4
If a person with the ASF gene is convicted of a crime, should his or her ASF status be
considered as part of his or her sentencing? If yes, how so?.....................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................6

3ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Discussion
Will it be beneficial if the US government makes mandatory gene testing for
detecting ASF?
Human behaviour is unpredictable and complex however theorists and psychologists
have gained an upper hand of analysing human behaviour after understanding that genes and
external environment affect the behaviour of an individual rather than social and cultural
factors (Waldman, et al. 2018). Genes are involved in controlling the behaviour and emotions
which can provoke the anti-social behaviour of a person. Children becoming witness to
violence or being victim themselves have a tendency of developing anti-social behaviour in
their teens (Samek, et al. 2016). The US government should permit The Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) for adopting this gene testing policy to use it for detecting criminals and
searching families. The ASF genetic testing showed results that children experiencing
violence have increased tendencies of developing antisocial behaviour in their teens or
adulthood and also have higher chances of developing aggressive behaviour towards their
partners. In a research evidence has been found that in earlier criminal cases the police
department used gene testing methods during the trials of the criminals (McSwiggan, Elger &
Appelbaum, 2017). Therefore the ASF genetic testing should be implemented and the results
should be used by the judge during the trials for giving a sound judgement after analysing the
mental and health condition of the convicted.
Actions taken against people, receiving positive results from the ASF gene test
For the time being, the FBI should apply the ASF genetic testing on accused aged
within 32 years and accused vicious crimes such as murder and rape. The accused who are
showing a positive result of the ASF genetic test will be considered as unfit for a sound legal
judgement during their trial like the other convicted. As legal judgements are carried on
persons who are both physically and mentally in good health. An accused with positive ASF

4ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
result will get reduced sentences for their crimes. However, a genetic evidence should be
shown in the court by the person having a positive ASF result. To identify what kind violence
had the accused faced during their childhood, which provoked antisocial behavior within
them. For example, a person can develop antisocial behavior if they witness their parents
being arrested or involved in illegal activities or are abused by their parents during their
childhood (Byrd & Manuck, 2014). However, an accused having this sort of influences for
the ASF genes should not be considered for sentence reduction. With the implementation of
ASF gene testing in the FBI the understanding of psychological disorders will be more
enhanced, it will help in identifying the antisocial attitudes in persons and thus prevent the
rate of crimes (Tamatea, 2015).
Safeguards while using ASF testing
A common problem is evident in the use of ASF gene testing which is, different
individuals tends to show different behavior in the same type of rearing environment. After
the ASF research would show crossover results in this type of situations. Therefore the ASF
research should be conducted after the analyzing the rearing environment of the child. The
ASF results for both male and female are different due to their difference in brain
functionality and structure, reaction of hormones with the genes in females thus leading to a
different behavioral outcome. Therefore, the scientists and researchers should address these
gaps before implementing the tests. The government should ensure that the practice of racism
is strictly prohibited during this ASF gene testing. Along with it there should not be any
practice of biasness (Horstkötter, Berghmans & De Wert, 2014).

5ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
If a person with the ASF gene is convicted of a crime, should his or her
ASF status be considered as part of his or her sentencing? If yes, how so?
A person having ASF gene and accused of crime will get reduction in their prison
sentence. Legal proceedings should take place on a criminal who is both physically and
mentally fit. However a criminal who has some antisocial disorder due to the influence of
ASF gene is considered as imperfect to undergo judgement the legal proceedings.
Government has made this ASF gene testing on accused mandatory for enabling them to
receive some fair judgement as their antisocial behaviour was created due to some childhood
trauma (Morley & Hall, 2017). However strong and valid evidence for cause of the ASF gene
have to be shown during the trial. The criminal with a positive ASF gene result although
accused of crimes such as brutal murders, rapes and kidnappings, will get reduction in
sentencing in their trials.

6ASF GENE TESTING FOR IDENTIFYING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR
References
Byrd, A. L., & Manuck, S. B. (2014). MAOA, childhood maltreatment, and antisocial
behavior: meta-analysis of a gene-environment interaction. Biological psychiatry,
75(1), 9-17.
Horstkötter, D., Berghmans, R., & De Wert, G. (2014). Early prevention of antisocial
behavior (ASB): A comparative ethical analysis of psychosocial and biomedical
approaches. BioSocieties, 9(1), 60-83.
McSwiggan, S., Elger, B., & Appelbaum, P. S. (2017). The forensic use of behavioral
genetics in criminal proceedings: Case of the MAOA-L genotype. International
journal of law and psychiatry, 50, 17-23.
Morley, K., & Hall, W. (2017). Is there a genetic susceptibility to engage in criminal acts?.
Samek, D. R., Goodman, R. J., Erath, S. A., McGue, M., & Iacono, W. G. (2016). Antisocial
peer affiliation and externalizing disorders in the transition from adolescence to young
adulthood: Selection versus socialization effects. Developmental psychology, 52(5),
813.
Tamatea, A. J. (2015). ‘Biologizing’psychopathy: ethical, legal, and research implications at
the interface of epigenetics and chronic antisocial conduct. Behavioral sciences & the
law, 33(5), 629-643.
Waldman, I. D., Rhee, S. H., LoParo, D., & Park, Y. (2018). Genetic and environmental
influences on psychopathy and antisocial behavior. In Meeting of the American
Society of Criminology, 1996; Earlier versions of this chapter were presented at the
aforementioned conference and at the meeting of the Behavior Genetics Association
in 1997.. The Guilford Press.

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