![]() Children of pregnant women who experienced famine carried a specific chemical marker, or an ‘epigenetic signature’, on one of their genes. This phenotypic change in the DNA sequence affects how cells read genes.2 The study of the Dutch Hunger Winter case that subjected many pregnant women in the Netherlands to famine, provided a breakthrough in the field of epigenetics. Epigenetic changes don’t involve alterations of DNA sequences but can cause phenotypic changes. Trauma researchers are just beginning to explore the impact of intergenerational trauma and its genetic expression.1 Intergenerational trauma occurs when trauma experienced in one generation affects the health and well-being of genetically related future generations.4 Identifying these impacts genetically is the field of epigenetics. Many focus on psychological trauma, but don’t look into intergenerational impacts. Many scientific studies have examined the victims of major traumatic events. Researchers are beginning to study the relationship between intergenerational trauma and genetic expression to answer the question, “Does trauma end at the initial victim?”1 Do You Carry the Trauma of Your Ancestors?ĭo you ever wonder how your grandparents or past ancestors reacted during historical events? Well, your DNA might contain more knowledge.
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