There have been and still are many debates about how a person's genotype can be a significant factor in personality development, but more in relation to criminality. It's very difficult to say that your genetic makeup isn't a factor in who you become as a person, but I firmly believe that environment is a factor as well. Having a genetic predisposition does not mean that you will automatically inherit any traits passed down from your parents. Everyone can choose who to become as an individual; it all just depends on the environment you grew up in and the people around you when you grow up. Much research has been conducted on this topic and it has been concluded that it is more often an interaction between genetic makeup and environment that predicts criminal behavior. Many scientists have argued that a person's genetic makeup is the most significant factor in the development of criminality because they believe that parents who have been exposed to violence or who actually commit the violent act can pass those traits on to their children. This gives their children a genetic predisposition to potentially become a violent person and commit a criminal act in their future as adults. In many cases this may be true, but having a genetic predisposition to criminal behavior does not determine an individual's actions and automatically make him a criminal for having a predisposition to violence. However, if they are exposed to the right environment, meaning they are around violent people for a period of time, then their chances are greater of engaging in criminal or antisocial behaviour. In every country or state, there is a wide ...... middle of the paper ...... well for the fact that the child has to be raised in a place where there is crime and violence in his home or in its surroundings. As I stated before, individuals can choose who they become as adults, even if they have a predisposition to become violent, if they surround themselves with positive people and do not engage in crime, then they do not have to become what they were. genetically created to be. Works Cited “Genes, Environment, and Criminal Behavior.” Big ideas in personality: Theory and research. February 2005. Web. 24 February 2010. "Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children - Caspi et al. 297 (5582): 851 - Science." Science/AAAS | Scientific research, news and career information. August 2, 2002. Web. February 24. 2010. .