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| Topic: The sins of the father | |
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Why we get sick or age quicker as adults may be linked to chemical exposure early in development... not just our own time in the womb but also that of several generations before us. This astonishing result builds on research first reported in June 2005, in which Anway et al. found through studies with rats that a developmental exposure can decrease sperm count, not just in the exposed offspring but in at least three subsequent generations as well. In human terms, this would mean that an exposure experienced by your great-great-grandmother while your great-grandfather was in the womb had an adverse effect on your sperm count. Most remarkably, the effects were not transmitted by mutations, or changes in DNA sequence. Instead, they appeared to be the result of altered methylation patterns: changes in molecules attached to DNA that control whether a gene can be turned on. Anway et al.'s results surprised toxicologists and evolutionary biologists alike because they demonstrated inheritance of an acquired characteristic that was not mediated by mutations, but instead through epigenetic inheritance. What is epigenetic inheritance? In genetic inheritance, traits are passed from one generation to the next via DNA sequences in genes. Differences in a DNA sequence specify differences in a trait. Epigenetic inheritance involves passing a trait from one generation to the next without a difference in DNA sequence. Known mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance include changes in molecular structures around the DNA so that while the gene is the same, the gene behaves differently. For example, genes switch on and off in response to hormonal signals. Changes in molecular conformation around the gene can prevent that from happening. This can change developmental processes, alter disease resistance, etc. {url]http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/newscience/epigenetics/2006/2006-0915anwayetal.html |
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Why we get sick or age quicker as adults may be linked to chemical exposure early in development... not just our own time in the womb but also that of several generations before us. This astonishing result builds on research first reported in June 2005, in which Anway et al. found through studies with rats that a developmental exposure can decrease sperm count, not just in the exposed offspring but in at least three subsequent generations as well. In human terms, this would mean that an exposure experienced by your great-great-grandmother while your great-grandfather was in the womb had an adverse effect on your sperm count. Most remarkably, the effects were not transmitted by mutations, or changes in DNA sequence. Instead, they appeared to be the result of altered methylation patterns: changes in molecules attached to DNA that control whether a gene can be turned on. Anway et al.'s results surprised toxicologists and evolutionary biologists alike because they demonstrated inheritance of an acquired characteristic that was not mediated by mutations, but instead through epigenetic inheritance. What is epigenetic inheritance? In genetic inheritance, traits are passed from one generation to the next via DNA sequences in genes. Differences in a DNA sequence specify differences in a trait. Epigenetic inheritance involves passing a trait from one generation to the next without a difference in DNA sequence. Known mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance include changes in molecular structures around the DNA so that while the gene is the same, the gene behaves differently. For example, genes switch on and off in response to hormonal signals. Changes in molecular conformation around the gene can prevent that from happening. This can change developmental processes, alter disease resistance, etc. {url]http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/newscience/epigenetics/2006/2006-0915anwayetal.html  interesting
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Makes sense.
Technically there's been no history of Multiple Sclerosis in the family, but mom was diagnosed with it. Of course, it was originally a northern, cold-weather type thing, but now it's fairly common down south. Could be a lot to do with chemical exposures. I think we'll find that out with Autism and the ADD, ADHD going on now. Course, I still think a study done on alchohol and smoking may be more interesting as to how it affects the baby, aside from what's been done. |
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