The Influence of Experiences on Gene Expression and Allergies
New research suggests that an individual's life experiences can affect the way their offspring's genes are expressed, challenging the notion that genes are solely inherited from parents. Scientists have discovered that a parent's experiences can lead to changes in gene expression that are encoded in the sperm or egg and passed on to offspring. These changes, known as epigenetic changes, can influence behavior and adaptation to the environment. While this system can confer benefits to offspring, it can also go awry, potentially leading to psychiatric disorders. Further studies have shown that environmental factors, such as food scarcity or abundance, can have intergenerational effects on health and lifespan.