Psychologist Kathryn Paige Harden explores the genetic underpinnings of problematic behavior in her latest book, rich with intriguing scientific discoveries. In 2021, Harden, a psychologist and writer, co-authored a significant paper detailing her research into genetic predispositions associated with an elevated risk of developing substance abuse issues or engaging in various forms of risk-taking, including unprotected sex and criminal acts. While her paper formally addressed the genetics of “traits related to self-regulation and addiction,” Harden personally viewed her work as an investigation into the genetics of “sin.”
A distinguished professor at the University of Texas and the author of the acclaimed *The Genetic Lottery*, which examined genetics’ impact on meritocracy, Harden was once moved by a letter from a man imprisoned since age 16 for kidnapping and sexual assault. His poignant question, “What would drive a boy to do such a thing?” serves as the catalyst for her new book. This new work offers a thoughtful, nuanced response, articulating how our growing understanding of the factors contributing to harmful actions — specifically, the complex interaction between inherited predispositions and lived experiences — ought to reshape our perspectives on moral responsibility and accountability.