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Chapter 19: Problem 19

Following the tragic shooting of 20 children at a school in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012 , Connecticut's state medical examiner requested a full genetic analysis of the killer's genome. What do you think investigators might be looking for? What might they expect to find? Might this analysis lead to oversimplified analysis of the cause of the tragedy?

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01

Understanding Genetic Analysis

Genetic analysis is the process of studying a person's genes to determine if they might have specific traits, potential health risks, or susceptibility to certain behaviors. By analyzing the killer's genome, the aim of the investigators might be to find possible genetic factors that could have contributed to the shooter's behavior - such as mental health issues, predispositions to violence, or risk factors for criminal activity.
02

Considering Potential Findings

Investigators might expect to find genetic factors that could have contributed to the killer's behavior. For example, they might be looking for variations in genes related to mental health, such as risk factors for depression, schizophrenia, or other psychological disorders. Additionally, they might look for genetic factors associated with aggressive behavior, poor impulse control, or substance abuse tendencies.
03

Addressing the Oversimplification Debate

While genetic analysis can provide valuable information, it's important to recognize that it's just one piece of the puzzle. Human behavior is influenced by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and isolating a single cause is often difficult. As a result, relying solely on genetic analysis could lead to oversimplified explanations that don't fully consider other factors like upbringing, social environment, and personal experiences – leading to an incomplete understanding of the tragedy.
04

Formulating an Opinion

After discussing what the investigators might be looking for, potential findings, and the possible risks of oversimplification, form an opinion on the topic. Is genetic analysis a worthwhile approach in a situation like this, or could it potentially mislead the public by providing oversimplified conclusions? Consider the benefits and drawbacks, and be prepared to explain your reasoning.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

There are more than 1000 cloned farm animals in the United States. In the near future, milk from cloned cows and their offspring (born naturally) may be available in supermarkets. These cloned animals have not been transgenically modified, and they are no different than identical twins. Should milk from such animals and their natural-born offspring be labeled as coming from cloned cows or their descendants? Why?

As genetic testing becomes widespread, medical records will contain the results of such testing. Who should have access to this information? Should employers, potential employers, or insurance companies be allowed to have this information? Would you favor or oppose having the government establish and maintain a central database containing the results of individuals' genome scans?

The first attempts at gene therapy began in 1990 with the treatment of a young girl with a genetic disorder abbreviated SCID. What does SCID stand for? In the context of SCID, what does ADA stand for?

What are the different genetic markers that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) employ? How can scientists use this data to calculate the disease risk associated with each variation?

The Genetic Testing Registry is intended to provide better information to patients, but companies involved in genetic testing are not required to participate. Should company participation be mandatory? Why or why not? Explain your answers.
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