Possible link between genetics and offenders?

controversial new research suggests there may be a genetic component to sexual offenses.

Swedish researchers studied 20,000 sex offenders over a 37-year period. The report found close male relatives of sexual offenders are up to five times more likely to commit sexual offense than other males.

Experts say they are not surprised, but they add that more research is needed to look into potential genetic links and critical prevention to help people who might be vulnerable.

"It's about helping these people so they don't end up on that path, and we know there's lots of good work we can do to do that," forensic psychologist Rajan Darjee said. "Because if we do that, we can prevent lots of sexual abuse, we can prevent rape."

The study is not saying that someone with a male relative convicted of rape will go on to become a sexual offender. Rather, the study looks at vulnerability.

Researchers say the hope is that this latest research will put the medical community one step closer to preventing sexual crime.

School motivation may be explained by genetics

Does your child dislike school? It turns out that feeling could run in the family.

A new study looked at twins, both identical and fraternal, and found identical twins shared the same attitudes towards school rather than fraternal twins. That's regardless of the parenting styles or experiences with different teachers.

The study concludes 40 to 50 percent of the differences in school motivation could be explained by genetics.

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