The Evil Genes

Ever wondered why certain characteristics seemed to get inherited over generations? A daughter who is as hot-tempered as her mom, while the son inherits his dad's contrarian bent of mind....

In "Evil Genes: Why Rome Fell, Hitler Rose, Enron Failed, and My Sister Stole My Mother's Boyfriend", Barbary Oakley suggests that certain genes or combination of genes could be responsible for the malevolent character traits in people. She also points out that genes by themselves are not the only prerequisite for the development of the villains around us. The environment that a person develops in, interacting with these "evil" genes is what drives to people to sinister, Machiavellian personalities. In a study reported by the New Scientist in August 2006, Ralph Greenspan and Herman Dierick of The Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California, have identified a single gene that turns fruit flies more agressive.

Makes me wonder what other character traits can be associated with gene combinations. Will we, someday in the future, be able to detect these personality disorders the we detect Down Syndrome today?