Severe trauma can affect DNA for future generations

New research reveals that severe trauma can leave lasting changes on DNA that may affect future generations. These changes, referred to as “scars,” can persist beyond an individual’s lifetime. The study highlights how traumatic experiences can increase the risk of mental health issues, such as depression, in descendants. It looked at DNA samples from 48 Syrian families over three generations to explore the impact of intergenerational trauma. Catherine Panter-Brick, an anthropologist at Yale University, stated that the study shows signs of stress and trauma in the body and DNA. She noted that this research provides the first evidence that violence can leave lasting epigenetic marks on the genome. These findings could change our understanding of evolution and how trauma affects families over time.