Parental Genes Leave a Lasting Imprint Beyond Inherited DNA

A large international study analyzing over 30,000 families shows that a child’s traits—height, BMI, and school test scores—are shaped not only by their own DNA but also by the environment created by parents’ genes and by parent-of-origin effects. Researchers developed a method to separate direct genetic effects from indirect (genetic nurture) and parent-of-origin effects, finding that parental influences are substantial and that the same genetic regions can influence traits through both inheritance and environment. The findings have broad implications for interpreting genetic studies and shaping policy, suggesting that family environment plays a powerful role and that only direct genetic effects may be ideal drug targets.