DNA of Sandy Hook killer Adam Lanza to be examined for 'evil' gene

[dkf]

Scientists have been asked to study the DNA of Newtown school killer Adam Lanza to see if has an 'evil' gene that led him to carry out the massacre.

The study, which will look at any abnormalities or mutations in his individual DNA, is believed to be the first of its kind ever carried out on a mass murderer.

The study of the killer's DNA has been ordered by Connecticut Medical Examiner H. Wayne Carver who carried out the post mortems on all the victims.

He has contacted geneticists at University of Connecticut's to conduct the study.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2253797/DNA-Sandy-Hook-killer-Adam-Lanza-examined-evil-gene-study-kind-conducted-mass-murderer.html#ixzz2GJEJIL25

[Barack_America]

1. Did his father agree to this?

Or was the study of his genome just ordered by the medical examiner?

Interesting ethical question if it's the latter.

"will look at any abnormalities or mutations in his individual DNA".

Hope their study is a little more focused than this or I doubt they'll find much. We all have "abormalities or mutations".

[dkf]

3. Nothing about the father in that article...

Nor in this one:

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/27/16051659-looking-for-clues-researchers-to-study-lanzas-dna?lite

[Bjorn Against]

4. Research of DNA evidence is routine in criminal investigations

I realize that this is different than the DNA studies that have occured in criminal investigations in the past, but the previous precedent for using DNA in criminal investigations probably allows them to do this without the family's permission.

I don't know whether or not they will find anything, but I think scientific knowledge has the potential to do good in the future so I think this is a good thing. I admit that I may not be aware of the potential problems however so if someone could tell me a compelling reason to oppose this I may reconsider.

[LisaL]

12. Adam Lanza was an adult.

Why would they need his father's permission?

[Barack_America]

13. Next of kin. Do you think they got Adam's permission?

Don't forget that Adam and his father (and brother) share the same DNA. So, what is unearthed about Adam's genome could be shared by them.

Say, for example, Adam is found to have a mutation for a disease like Huntington's, which is autosomal dominant and almost universally fatal. Do the researchers then have an obligation to tell his family that they have a high chance of coming down with this disease?

[TwilightGardener]

2. Oh Christ. Anymore I just shut down when words like "evil" or "monster" are used.

He was a severely deranged young man. Nothing more.

[dkf]

6. They might be looking for this:

So far, the strongest evidence that genetics play a role in violent behavior comes out of research on MAOA, a gene that produces a substance called monoamine oxidase.

http://news.yahoo.com/trouble-adam-lanzas-dna-191227974.html

[haikugal]

7. I have the same reaction....

it smells of religion and I can see a future where DNA is checked for 'evil'....ugh.

[Gregorian]

5. Good lord. My 30 second "study" says he was shit on, and had nobody to help him work it out.

And no, everybody who has had troubles doesn't kill. But give them a gun, tell them things, don't teach them morals, and about a hundred other things his parent did and didn't do, and you have a ready made Lanza.

Shit, these people are looking for magic, when the answers are pretty bland and normal.

I keep saying it, and it tends to get flamed, but it's the parenting. There are other things, but it's the parenting.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. Daily Mail!!!

ugh!

[Angry Dragon]

9. I think all republicans should be examined also

[madinmaryland]

11. I think your avatar needs a helmet...

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. Maybe the M.E. should call in a good Phrenologist

leave no stone unturned.