Reply #96: You don't seem to be thinking of the complexities of [View All]

human behavior, mental illness and biology. They may find a genetic marker that signals a specific variant of mental illness that, when mixed with some environmental pattern (e.g., specific type of childhood abuse, for example)may predict risk for this kind of behavior. WOuld we preventively incarcerate someone--no, unless you've been watching TOm Cruise movies. But, it may help us better identify those environmental patterns which (in combination) could result in this and apply some primary prevention. It might also signal with study, a need for neurochemical help for a gentic pattern of mental illness (through genetic engineered medications, for example, or even gene transfer).

The more apt question is how would NOT studying these killers, (but merely relegating them to execution or throwing them away in prison to kill others there) EVER help us prevent the development of these kinds of killers in the future? In this case, we HAVE NO HOPE of (primary) prevention.