Originally Posted by Aquila
The science of epigenetics is finding evidence that points to the distinct possibility that we are not born with a clean slate. The experiences of our ancestors and parents may very well be passed down to us through our DNA.
For example, scientists took lab rats and decided to shock them every time they released the fragrance of cherry blossoms into the cage. This conditioned these rats to associate the smell of cherry blossoms with fear and pain. So, every time they released the smell of cherry blossoms into the cage, the rats would exhibit fear, stress, anxiety, and attempt to hide.
Now, so far, that's not that unexpected, right? What the scientists did next is absolutely fascinating...
Next, they took the sperm from those rats and impregnated female rats. They then allowed the mothers to have and raise their babies in a controlled and safe environment. These babies had never smelled various scents such as cherry blossom. They released several different scents into the cage. The new generation of rats behaved just fine. However, when they released the scent of cherry blossoms, even if it was just a minute amount of the scent, the new generation of rats exhibited fear, anxiety, and attempted to hide.
Even though they had never smelled cherry blossoms, they reacted like their ancestors did after having been shocked to the scent of cherry blossoms! Thus the memory of the danger the scent of cherry blossoms posed to their ancestors was passed on to the next generation. And to make it even more interesting... this was passed down to several additional generations.
What these scientists discovered is that environmental experiences such as stress and trauma actually creates "tags" on the rat's DNA. These tags activate specific genes to produce specific responses in their biochemical behaviors under certain conditions.
The question then became... does this happen in humans? And their findings were rather fascinating. It happens in us too. Parents who experienced the trauma of the WTC attack on 9/11 and reported PTSD and other anxiety showed the affects of stress hormones in their lower cortisol levels. Guess what, their children had lower cortisol levels too. Thus making their children more sensitive to loud noises and other factors that produce stress or anxiety. Essentially, elements of the PTSD were passed down to their children.
Scientists believe that this is absolutely necessary for the survival of a species. It is a way for parents to pass down significant information to their children with regards various environmental dangers, conditions, or challenges.
They are now considering the possibility of underlying epigenetic causes and effects as they might relate to irrational phobias, psychotic behavior, and emotional issues.
They are also researching how extremely pleasurable experiences might leave certain epigenetic tags on one's DNA which predisposes one's descendants to specific interests in relation to pleasure, happiness, and recreation. This side of the research may very well show that epigenetics can even have an affect on the biochemical aspects of our sexuality. This would explain why there are often patterns to sexual behaviors, interests, abuses, and choices within specific family lines.
So, it looks as though science is building the case that we are not born with clean slates. We very well might inherit both the pleasure and the pain of our ancestors produced by their choices and environmental factors.
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