MAOA - what races and ethnicities posses this gene?

[LostSoul]

The famous "violent gene". I read somewhere African-Americans posses this gene (I don't necessarily share those views, though). What are other ethnicities that posses this gene? Is this linked with higher level of testosterone or something? I also read something about Slavic people and Arabs possesing this gene (not to mention that shit was mentioned on webshites like 4chan).

[Mr.Bean]

I’d like to know these as well.

[lei.talk]

Aggression and the "Warrior gene"

A variant of the monoamine oxidase-A gene has been popularly referred to as the warrior gene. Several different versions of the gene are found in different individuals. A functional gene is present in humans, with the exception of at least 5 families with Brunner syndrome. In the variant, the allele associated with behavioural traits is shorter (30 bases) and may produce less MAO-A enzyme. This gene variation is in a regulatory promoter region about 1,000 bases from the start of the region that encodes the MAO-A enzyme.

When faced with social exclusion or ostracism, individuals with the low activity MAOA gene showed higher levels of aggression than individuals with the high activity MAOA gene. Low activity MAO-A could significantly predict aggressive behaviour in a high provocation situation, but was less associated with aggression in a low provocation situation. Individuals with the low activity variant of the MAOA gene were just as likely as participants with the high activity variant to retaliate when the loss was small. However, they were more likely to retaliate and with greater force when the loss was large.

"Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) are enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine and are, therefore, capable of influencing feelings, mood, and behaviour of individuals". According to this, if there was a mutation to the gene that is involved in the process of promoting or inhibiting MAO enzymes, it could affect a person's personality or behaviour and could therefore make them more prone to aggression. A deficiency in the MAOA gene has shown higher levels of aggression in males, which could further stimulate more research into this controversial topic. "A deficiency in monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) has been shown to be associated with aggressive behaviour in men of a Dutch family".

The "warrior gene" was the first candidate gene for antisocial behavior and was identified during a "molecular genetic analysis of a large, multigenerational, and notoriously violent, Dutch kindred". A study of Finnish prisoners revealed that a MAOA-L (low-activity) genotype, which contributes to low dopamine turnover rate, was associated with extremely violent behavior. For the purpose of the study, "extremely violent behavior" was defined as at least ten committed homicides, attempted homicides or batteries. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_oxidase_A#Aggression_and_the_%22Warrior_ gene%22)

[LostSoul]

Yeah, this is it.

[LostSoul]

Double post