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XYY - AN ETHICAL ISSUE IN A GENETIC RIDDLE

NCJ Number
35375
Journal
Washington Post Dated: (JULY 25, 1976) Pages: C1,C4
Author(s)
S OKIE
Date Published
1976
Length
2 pages
Annotation
ALTHOUGH A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF MEN WITH AN EXTRA 'Y' CHROMOSOME ARE IN PRISON THAN 'NORMAL' MEN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE FORMER GROUP LEAD PERFECTLY NORMAL LIVES, THUS PARTIALLY REFUTING THE LABEL 'CRIMINAL GENES'.
Abstract
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE ETHICAL ISSUES OF RESEARCH BASED ON THE PRESENCE OF AN EXTRA 'Y' CHROMOSOME IN MALE BABIES. THE CONTROVERSY ARISES BECAUSE, IN LIGHT OF THE WEAK ETIOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXTRA 'Y' CHROMOSOME AND CRIMINALITY, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE SUBJECTS WILL BE VICTIMS OF 'LABELING'. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT IF THE PARENTS ARE AWARE OF ANY GENETIC ABNORMALITY IN THEIR CHILDREN, THEY MIGHT TREAT THEM DIFFERENTLY, THUS INVALIDATING ANY RESEARCH BASED ON PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT.

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