Teaching Changes Attitudes to Genetic Testing for Aggressive Behaviour

A recent study points to the influence of a particular genotype on aggressive behaviour. In its report on "Genetics and human behaviour" (2002), the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCR) published recommendations concerning the possible impact of behavioural genetics on the legal system. We used a standardised anonymous questionnaire before and after one semester of teaching in order to test the influence of multidisciplinary teaching about criminology, including discussion of the NCR, on attitudes of law and psychology students towards genetic testing and the use of these tests by the criminal system. After teaching, attitudes of students were significantly more critical toward the use of these tests than before teaching. Teaching about behavioural genetics to students from other faculties and the general population should be encouraged.