Is a life of crime all in the genes ?

Its the way you are raised, plays a great role

I'd opine that it is a combination of upbringing, environment, genetics, and OPPORTUNITY. I agree on all 4. Haven't some scientists been saying this for at least 10 years? There is a genetic pre-disposition to just about everything. Illness, Gambling, Alcoholism, Mental illness... perhaps even religion, profession and political party??

So that explains RepubliKlans: http://www.republicansexoffenders.com/ Look all the pedophiles and rapists, not to mention the fraudsters like Madoff, sociopaths like Ken Lay, Neo-Nazis, etc. - maybe we should just exterminate all RepubliKlans since it's pretty clear they're genetically programmed to be criminals.

Test the DNA of criminals and test the DNA of honest people and compare them.

So that explains RepubliKlans: http://www.republicansexoffenders.com/ Look all the pedophiles and rapists, not to mention the fraudsters like Madoff, sociopaths like Ken Lay, Neo-Nazis, etc. - maybe we should just exterminate all RepubliKlans since it's pretty clear they're genetically programmed to be criminals. If you dig around, you'll find there are just as many Democrat SOBs as there are GOP SOBs. Weiner, Edwards, Kennedy, Clinton, not to mention Blagovich. http://gopcapitalist.tripod.com/democratrecord.html

It's a tough subject the whole nature vs. nurture. I don't think it can be attributed to any one thing, possibly a mix of many. We have people who were brought up in loving households who go on to commit unbelievably bad crimes, and we also have people brought up terrible conditions who do the same. If things like alcoholism can run in family's, i don't see it a far stretch that devient and criminal behaviour can also.

Seeing how I'm not like my alcoholic criminal heritage I have to say we make our own choices.

no, it's something called sin

I work in corrections actually, It's a tough arguement as to whether it's genetic or a learned behavior. The majority of our offenders come from families who themselves have served time.. Interesting to see what researchers come up with .

Seeing how I'm not like my alcoholic criminal heritage I have to say we make our own choices. Ya have a point here too.. I grew up on the streets of Washington DC, surrounded by crime and drugs, however I turned out on the polar opposite of the spectrum.