Apparently crime in Los Angeles has gotten so bad that a former USC professor is helping the city create a test for children to help determine whether or not they are likely to end up in a gang. It is a 70 question multiple choice test intended for children ages 10-15.

The questions mostly center around levels of empathy, sense of  responsibility, honesty and other general aspects one would assume are lacking in someone who would join a gang.

My question is, if this works, is it possible to test children for other neurological defects/mental malnourishments? If we can test for a lack of empathy in a child and determine that he/she will join a gang, can the same be tested in a child for sociopathy? Psychopathy? Other chemical or personality disorders which may not become apparent until years later? And even if so…so what? From the Wall Street Journal via Gawker. Picture here.

This article was written in May & is part of the Ana , Archives , Thoughts & Opinion sections.