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Once were warriors: gene linked to Maori violence
The Sidney Morning Herald ^ | 09 Aug 2006 | AAP

Posted on 08/10/2006 1:51:50 AM PDT by Marius3188

MAORIS carry a "warrior" gene that makes them more prone to violence, criminal acts and risky behaviour, a scientist has controversially claimed.

Dr Rod Lea, a New Zealand researcher, and his colleagues told an Australian genetics conference that Maori men had a "striking over-representation" of monoamine oxidase - dubbed the warrior gene - which they say is strongly associated with aggressive behaviour.

He says the unpublished studies prove that Maoris have the highest prevalence of this strength gene, first discovered by US researchers but never linked to an ethnic group.

This explains how Maoris migrated across the Pacific and survived, said Dr Lea, a genetic epidemiologist at the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research.

But he said the presence of the gene also "goes a long way to explaining some of the problems Maoris have".

"Obviously, this means they are going to be more aggressive and violent and more likely to get involved in risk-taking behaviour like gambling," Dr Lea said before his presentation to the International Congress of Human Genetics in Brisbane.

Dr Lea said he believed other, non-genetic factors might also be at play. "There are lots of lifestyle, upbringing-related exposures that could be relevant here, so obviously the gene won't automatically make you a criminal."

The same gene was linked to high rates of alcoholism and smoking. "In terms of alcohol-metabolising genes we've found that Maori have a very unique genetic signature," Dr Lea said.

"That influences their drinking behaviour, so they're much more likely to binge drink than other groups …"

The researchers are now collecting thousands of DNA samples from Maoris to investigate these traits.

They can then work out precisely what role each gene plays and use this to explore these trends in the mainstream populations.

"With Maori it's easier to find the genes than it is in the broader Caucasian population so it's a great case study," Dr Lea said.

AAP


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Miscellaneous; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: ancientnavigation; dna; gene; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; maori; monoamineoxidase; navigation; newzealand; violence; warriors
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1 posted on 08/10/2006 1:51:51 AM PDT by Marius3188
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To: Marius3188

send these Maori to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan
Maybe they will eat their hearts !
(i hope i hope i hope...)


2 posted on 08/10/2006 1:57:06 AM PDT by LeoWindhorse
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To: Marius3188

A gene that has never existed in France.


3 posted on 08/10/2006 1:58:32 AM PDT by peyton randolph (No man knows the day nor the hour of The Coming of The Great White Handkerchief.)
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To: peyton randolph

The Dodgeball gene!


4 posted on 08/10/2006 2:03:16 AM PDT by MIT-Elephant ("Armed with what? Spitballs?")
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Possibly found in certain Huron as well.

5 posted on 08/10/2006 2:05:21 AM PDT by KneelBeforeZod (I have five dollars for each of you)
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To: Marius3188

Jake the Mus after a few shots.


6 posted on 08/10/2006 2:11:37 AM PDT by happinesswithoutpeace (You are receiving this broadcast as a dream)
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To: Marius3188

A bit more info here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10395491


Gotta' wade thru a bit of PC clutter to get to the info.


7 posted on 08/10/2006 2:24:21 AM PDT by elli1
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To: KneelBeforeZod

Indeed! Magua was pretty frightening.


8 posted on 08/10/2006 9:17:00 AM PDT by MJemison
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To: LeoWindhorse

The Maori are in OEF and OIF. Most NZ units have Maori troopers, especially NZ SAS.

And the American Indian is (as always) well represented in US forces, especially Spec Ops.

Amerinds may be the most clear thinking Americans. "You attack the People. We come after you." They honor the warrior.


9 posted on 08/10/2006 10:35:34 AM PDT by SOLTC
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To: SOLTC

"You attack the People. We come after you."

I love it , thank you !


10 posted on 08/10/2006 12:38:31 PM PDT by LeoWindhorse
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To: Marius3188
We Highland Scots and Irish have dealt with this for years . . .

. . . unfortunately we also have the gene for alcoholism . . . but I guess that's so we wouldn't conquer the world.

11 posted on 08/10/2006 12:39:53 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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To: AnAmericanMother

The last family reunion I went to was sort of a drag. We all got too drunk to fight.


12 posted on 08/10/2006 12:43:46 PM PDT by GreenOgre (mohammed is the false prophet of a false god.)
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To: GreenOgre

Irish Alzheimer's . . . you only remember the grudges.


13 posted on 08/10/2006 12:44:47 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: Marius3188

The Kaminoans would agree.


15 posted on 08/10/2006 12:51:59 PM PDT by xp38
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: LeoWindhorse

Ditto


17 posted on 08/10/2006 1:03:15 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: Marius3188
Great movie! Once Were Warriors
19 posted on 08/10/2006 1:07:02 PM PDT by rabidralph
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To: Marius3188; blam
"Dr Rod Lea, a New Zealand researcher, and his colleagues told an Australian genetics conference that Maori men had a "striking over-representation" of monoamine oxidase - dubbed the warrior gene - which they say is strongly associated with aggressive behaviour...."

Monoamine oxidase isn't a "gene", it's an enzyme.

Is it the reporter, or the scientist, who is scientifically illiterate?? I suspect the former.

20 posted on 03/16/2007 10:03:10 AM PDT by Renfield
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