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Did genetics play role in school shooting?

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    Medical examiner wants to take detailed look into Adam Lazna's DNA

  • Duration 4:15
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Gators in Newtown Connecticut are searching for answers in the devastating school shooting that.

-- this nation to its core a gunman killing 26 women and children.

At the sandy -- elementary school before taking his own life.

And now the medical examiner wants to take a deep chill look and -- at -- -- DNA in an effort to understand possibly why.

Joining us is doctor Richard first time he's happy for -- center for comprehensive Madison thank you so much for joining us thank you so first of all what would -- -- Doctors be looking for in this DNA and what would it tell them well.

What they're looking for is -- a specific gene that actually.

And -- been several studies that have actually been done on genes in the past one was in Finland in 2010.

And they did find that they were specific genes associated with violent behavior.

Another 2008 which identified something called a warrior -- present about 30% of men also seems to predispose people to violent behavior.

-- tech -- genetic mutation.

If they discover that this is actually -- -- Is there anything that they can do about it does this lead to potential treatments down the road.

Well I I think we're really need to understand that there is no established science right now to determine whether or not it -- Will predispose someone to violent behavior I mean that's the first thing this is a very complicated situation people have genes.

They don't always pre disposed or actually turn into a specific problem.

And in this case if someone -- to be found to have a gene and this is a needle in the haystack.

It might give some clues as to whether or not someone.

Might or other people might be predispose to this kind of crime and this would be the first of the kind study -- our first the kind of research to be done.

Well there again there have been studies that have been done on.

Violent offenders.

You know and previously and we have gotten some body of evidence that -- helped us to determine needs this whether this is a problem.

Where it's more established what we argue engine doing genetic testing where it's been incredibly valuable.

Isn't determined predisposing.

A condition such as Tay Sachs disease or whether or not so little -- up with sickle cell Anemia.

When we can what we can learn about whether or not so -- predispose potentially -- alzheimer's or cancer.

It gets a little bit more controversial and this particular area probably the most controversial -- and it.

There are concerns that with this type of research being done.

One of them being -- stigma attached to people who have these genetic mutation.

Yeah absolutely I I think ethicists are very very torn about.

Doing these types of task because you know he might have it let's say 30% of the population.

Might have -- pre disposed particular kind of gene.

But only a small percentage of them actually might commit a violent crime and the other individuals might actually.

I find themselves discriminated against so geneticist and ethicists are very concerned about this in this type of process but in the other hand the research is moving forward.

And we are trying to establish whether or not there are some correlations.

Which might help to be up predicted in the future and then finally wants you establishes correlations what is ultimately the benefit or the goal.

Correct and I think the goal is to help us to do you what we do with other.

Conditions which are medically related or genetically related we tried to help those individuals -- -- medications.

Find out whether or not in these cases closer monitoring might be useful and if there are other ways to help to monitor whether or not changes might take place for instance.

We can check whether or not an MRI or pet -- -- CT scan in addition to psychological counseling and genetic testing.

Might help to give us a better idea of whether or not someone.

It's pre disposed to a problem we know that.

-- individuals and particularly young men who -- predispose to anxiety for instance are at higher risk for committing violent crimes.

And so if we can identify those individuals more carefully and and thoroughly we'll have a better idea and -- -- -- -- -- for answers yet doctor -- -- thank you so much for joining us we appreciate it thank you.

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