There is a biological basis for diminished criminal responsibility in offenders with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) just as there is in those with intellectual disability. Functional limitations affecting cognition in both neurodevelopmental conditions stem directly from structural brain damage at a gross and molecular level, which usually impairs executive functioning among other cognitive skills. Executive functioning, which includes reasoning and impulse control, is the only neural system in the brain that involves conscious thought. With respect to the law, impaired reasoning or rationality is an aspect of mens rea (“guilty mind”). When rationality is impaired by prenatal alcohol exposure, acts driven by strong emotion and urges can occur, which has obvious implications regarding criminal responsibility. The Atkins decision by the U.S. Supreme Court reflects the rationale that organically based brain dysfunction in executive skills reduces criminal culpability. We argue that people with FASD who have similar brain dysfunction likewise have reduced criminal responsibility.

中文翻译：

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减少胎儿酒精谱系障碍（FASD）的罪责

胎儿酒精谱系障碍 (FASD) 罪犯的刑事责任减轻有生物学基础，就像智力残疾的罪犯一样。在两种神经发育条件下影响认知的功能限制直接源于总体和分子水平的结构性脑损伤，这通常会损害执行功能以及其他认知技能。执行功能，包括推理和冲动控制，是大脑中唯一涉及有意识的神经系统想法。就法律而言，推理或理性受损是犯罪意图（“有罪心理”）的一个方面。当理性因产前酒精暴露而受损时，可能会发生强烈的情绪和冲动驱动的行为，这对刑事责任具有明显的影响。美国最高法院的阿特金斯判决反映了这样一个基本原理，即执行技能中基于有机的大脑功能障碍可以减少刑事责任。我们认为，患有类似脑功能障碍的 FASD 患者同样减少了刑事责任。