Risk of sex offending linked to genetic factors, study finds

Male relatives of sex offenders five times more likely to commit similar crimes, and 40% of risk is genetic, study suggests

Brothers of men convicted of sexual offences are five times more likely than average to commit the same types of crimes, scientists have found.

The study suggests that genetic factors are largely responsible for the effect and that environmental factors, such as sons learning from fathers, have only a minor influence. The authors urged authorities to consider interventions for the male relatives of sexual offenders, including counselling on appropriate sexual behaviour or even offering medications designed to lower sex drive.