In the latest "give the pervs one more excuse" study, researchers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found that bad wiring may be the cause of pedophilia.
The study used MRIs and a computer analysis technique to compare a group of non-sexual criminals with a group of pedophiles. The results found that pedophiles had significantly less of a substance called "white matter". White matter is one of three parts of the central nervous system and is composed of myelinated nerve cells processes (axoms) that connect gray matter areas of the brain to each other and carry nerve impulses between neurons. Basically it is responsible for wiring the different parts of the brain together.
Published in the Journal of Psychiatry Research, the study challenges the belief that pedophilia is a result of childhood trauma or abuse. Previous research from the same scientists has strongly suggested that pedophilia may be linked to brain development. The research found that pedophiles have lower IQs, are three times more likely to be left-handed and that they tend to be physically shorter than non-pedophiles.
"There is nothing in this research that says pedophiles shouldn't be held criminally responsible for their actions," said Dr. James Cantor, CAMH Psychologist and lead scientist of the study, "Not being able to choose your sexual interests doesn't mean you can't choose what you do."
While the doctor may hold the belief that pedophiles can still choose their actions, I can just see the floodgate of excuses this study offers up to defense lawyers.
[Source: PRNewsWire]
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