Study of Holocaust survivors finds trauma passed on to children's genes (epigenetics)

UK Guardian ^ | Helen Thomson

[Sir Gawain]

Genetic changes stemming from the trauma suffered by Holocaust survivors are capable of being passed on to their children, the clearest sign yet that one person’s life experience can affect subsequent generations.

The conclusion from a research team at New York’s Mount Sinai hospital led by Rachel Yehuda stems from the genetic study of 32 Jewish men and women who had either been interned in a Nazi concentration camp, witnessed or experienced torture or who had had to hide during the second world war.

They also analysed the genes of their children, who are known to have increased likelihood of stress disorders, and compared the results with Jewish families who were living outside of Europe during the war. “The gene changes in the children could only be attributed to Holocaust exposure in the parents,” said Yehuda.

[EEGator]

It changes genes, or their expression?

[miss marmelstein]

I’ve always believed there was an impact on the health of these children - after all, some of their parents were deprived a good food and healthy exercise and happiness for many years! Not to mention the depression of having to live with hideous memories. We know the impact of famine on Africans - why not Europeans?

[loungitude]

I don’t know the difference.

[EinNYC]

I don't buy this study. First of all, the experimental group was far too small for really valid results. Secondly, I cannot conceive of how the experiences of one individual can be passed on to their offspring. In Boro Park (Brooklyn), where the highest concentration of Holocaust survivors settled in the U.S., I do see behaviors which were obviously learned, such as a significant fear of dogs, particularly German shepherds. I have seen Chassidic men actually cross the street to avoid walking past a dog, especially if it's a large one. This has extended to crossing the street to avoid a cat.

[Marie]

That is what I was thinking.

I was raised in a high-stress environment. It made me a stressed out mom. Sadly, I did pass this on to my kids with ‘high intensity’ parenting. Way too much fear.

Wish I could take it back.

Thankfully, my daughter is doing better.