'Memories' pass between generations

[UtwigMU]

Behaviour can be affected by events in previous generations which have been passed on through a form of genetic memory, animal studies suggest.

Experiments showed that a traumatic event could affect the DNA in sperm and alter the brains and behaviour of subsequent generations.

"There is absolutely no doubt that what happens to the sperm and egg will affect subsequent generations."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25156510

This is very interesting. It shows, that there is more to what we know about genetics and inheritance.

[cjolley]

Lamarck? Is that you?

[Belwarrior]

Genetic Memory theory has been around for a while but difficult to really prove for most living things. I think the easiest to prove would be with reptiles, some species just lay eggs and leave them be but the young once hatched seem able to cope with recently passed events experienced by their parents

[Dr Mordrid]

This is related to the relatively new field of epigenetics, where environmental factors cause DNA or RNA methylation or (under debate) histone modification - which doesn't change genes but changes how they are expressed. It can even be used to differentiate between identical twins because they will rarely have had exactly the same environmental exposures. These epigenetic changes can be passed down and may be responsible for many inherited variations. It also has a key role in how stem cells differentiate into the numerous cell types.