Most people understand that depression is not someone’s fault. A depressed individual is not able to cheer themsevles up on their own due to a medical imbalance that, in serious cases, needs to be adjusted with medication. Much like depression, some other disorders that are commonly classified as social problems may in fact be biological.

Take for instance a man who became a pedophile because of a brain tumor. When the tumor was removed, he returned to normal.

What about anorexia? Long considered a social disease, genetic research over the past several years shows that genes may play a major role.

These discoveries are interesting, but I’m afraid people will use them as an excuse for bad habits. But officer, I was going 120mph in a school zone because, you see, my brain is wired for speed!

People rationalize their actions all the time, and this may add more fuel to the fire, allowing them to absolve themselves of any responsibility. Disastrous consequences can follow. I’m convinced that most people are quite capable of making their own choices and controlling their behavior, even if their chemical makeup gives them a propensity for negative types of behavior. We all have bad habits, but most of them can be overcome with a little effort. The biological reason is more likely the exception rather than the rule for normal, healthy people.

It would be rather odd though, if research continues to show that some people have faulty wiring, judges may start sending criminals to the surgeon rather than the warden.