Study reveals how trauma-induced genetic changes passed down through generations

AMMAN — A Jordanian and Western research team, led by scholar Rana Dajani, has confirmed in a study published in Scientific Reports that trauma-induced genetic effects can be passed down through generations.

Dajani told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that the research, conducted by a multidisciplinary team from different regions, highlights how violence and displacement leave genetic (epigenetic) imprints that persist across generations. 

The study, carried out in Jordan, provides strong evidence that trauma can lead to genetic modifications that influence human adaptation and resilience.

She explained that while genetic material remains unchanged throughout life, gene activation can be altered by life experiences, a process known as epigenetics. 

These changes may enhance adaptability to future environments. The study aimed to investigate whether such modifications could be inherited. While experiments in animals have confirmed this phenomenon, proving it in humans has been challenging.

The research followed three generations of immigrants, collecting samples from grandmothers, pregnant mothers, and their children who experienced conflict.

Dajani, a molecular biology and genetics professor at Hashemite University, collaborated with the professor of Anthropology and Genetics at the University of Florida, Connie Mulligan, and the professor of Medical Anthropology at Yale University, Catherine Panter-Brick, on this pioneering study. 

Syrian researcher Dima Hamadmad also contributed to sample collection andorganisation.

The study identified 14 DNA sites with genetic changes in grandchildren whose grandparents had experienced trauma, along with 21 sites related to direct exposure to violence. Of these, 32 genetic modifications exhibited a consistent pattern following exposure to violence. 

The findings suggest that specific genetic markers may serve as a biological record of trauma, potentially affecting future generations' physiological responses.

While most DNA changes are erased before birth, the study revealed that some environmentally influenced genetic modifications can bypass this process. This provides an evolutionary mechanism for adapting to environmental stressors, including psychosocial trauma.

Accelerated genetic aging was also observed in fetuses exposed to violence during pregnancy, emphasising the vulnerability of fetaldevelopment at critical stages.

These findings hold particular significance in light of the aftermath of the Israeli genocide on Gaza, where pregnant women face extreme violence and displacement, said Dajani.

"Trauma survivors are often viewed as victims in need of rescue, but our research presents a different perspective one centred on adaptation and resilience. Genetic changes caused by trauma equip future generations with biological tools to help them navigate difficult environments. I call this ‘my grandmother’s wisdom,’" Dajani stated.

She emphasised the need to shift the global discourse toward recognising displaced communities' strength and resilience, rather than focusing solely on victimhood.

The research team recommended the development of policies and programs that address genetic trauma, with a focus on healing and empowerment, particularly in communities experiencing ongoing displacement, such as Jordan.