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Will our poor lifestyle influence future generations?

6/5/2015

15 Comments

 
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We're talking youth here—the food eaten, and the way teenagers live, before they go on to become parents.

Phew! I'm safe—or am I? Or rather was I, fifty years ago? But let's consider the latest finding.

Early studies have pointed to devastating events such as famine scarring future generations, making them more prone to obesity and diabetes. Now scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered genetic faults caused by trauma, poor lifestyle or environmental stress can be passed down to future generations. 

Although the same genes are passed down through generations, scientists now know that our DNA is constantly altered by environment, lifestyle and traumatic events. It is thought that these changes drive disease, premature ageing and early death.

Rather than these faults being wiped away, scientists have found that in some areas of DNA, including those linked to mental illness and obesity, some aberrations remain. In fact, around five per cent of our genetic code carries traces of past events, leaving a devastating legacy for children and grandchildren. Source: The Telegraph.

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Many people believe that American biologist James Watson and English physicist Francis Crick discovered DNA in the 1950s. In reality, this is not the case. DNA was first identified and isolated by Friedrich Miescher in 1871.

That led to DNA fingerprinting, also called DNA typing, DNA profiling, genetic fingerprinting, genotyping, or identity testing, in genetics, method of isolating and identifying variable elements within the base-pair sequence of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

Where would films like Jurrasic Park or crime TV programs be without DNA use or testing?

But what about you and me?

On considering, my lifestyle as a teenager held my children in good stead. Pregnant nine months after my marriage at 18 years, my life consisted of good choices. We didn't have junk food back then, and my home life, although stressful after my father's abandonment, contained both supportive parents in different locations.

My husband, a proud, strong youth at the peak of physical fitness had suffered several traumas, for which I tried to compensate. Would preventing his mother from committing suicide and then losing her at the age of fourteen be sufficient trauma to change his DNA? How about when he saw his friend taken by a shark on the surfboard beside him? 

He went on to develop the mental illness bipolar. My children were affected. One lost his life as a consequence of crime, one daughter through illness, and the third now suffers with depression.

What about environmental stress? Can children raised in poor areas overcome their start in life?

Poor lifestyle would encompass the use of recreational drugs, scrounging for food, and living close to electrical generators or polluted air.

We can't control some of fortune's blows. But we should bear in mind that whatever we do to our body will have consequences.

Think hard. What events in your youth would affect future generations?

15 Comments
Prasanna link
6/4/2015 08:01:55 pm

Hey Francene, great thoughts. People believe science has all answers to them, but what it does at best is holding a mirror against them. Humanity has been heading to a down slide since we humans stopped caring about love and morality. Your writings are very relevant. Well done.

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Joan Harrington link
6/5/2015 01:42:55 am

Interesting and thought-provoking post Francene!

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tina link
6/5/2015 02:12:18 am

Very relevant post, we don't know where we are heading!

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Donna Ward link
6/5/2015 03:48:57 am

I didn't know this - areas of DNA aberrations will remain the same? I would hope that the recent health and organic interests might start changing that into a more positive area :)

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Laurel Regan link
6/5/2015 04:10:47 am

Very interesting information. Quite honestly, this was one of the factors in my husband's and my decision not to have children.

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Kimberly link
6/5/2015 04:48:46 am

Interesting hypothesis, I wonder how it will change over the next 100 years. It leaves out a spiritual component, are we here to learn the lessons we need to grow as spiritual beings? Or is this a genetic exercise?
Kimberly
http://FiftyJewels.com

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Sandy link
6/5/2015 04:49:19 am

I do think we can break the chains that hold us down through DNA. Mental illness not so much. Out of my three kids, my only daughter is afflicted with it.

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Amar Naik link
6/5/2015 05:40:36 am

spending more time indoors rather than going out is another bad habit. interesting post.

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Vishal Bheeroo link
6/5/2015 04:05:49 pm

Great post and thought provoking. Sometimes, we are easily swayed by the fast junk. Glad you spoke about the illness to spread awareness.

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Lata link
6/6/2015 01:03:49 am

thought provoking. I hope people wake up. In the end it's about being aware of the impact of your actions, isn't it?

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sacha link
6/6/2015 01:05:34 am

Very informative post will be sharing

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Tina link
6/6/2015 04:19:28 am

I re read your post today and feel so sorry for your husband and you for your children. Life is hard and at times you don't know what to do. In this age where we don't even see what we eat we are at higher risk specially with the packaged foods and fast foods. We are endangering our future generations but no one cares.

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Suzy link
6/6/2015 03:46:42 pm

Very thought provoking post. I am sure that our circumstances, environment and experiences have impacts on us. Thoughts create so we should hold positive and good thoughts as far as possible.

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Ajay Pai link
6/6/2015 05:46:06 pm

Aww! Francene, One cannot make out that you have gone through such a rough life and am saddened to read about your entire family. God bless you and your family Francene.

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Payal Agarwal link
6/7/2015 03:01:49 am

Thought provoking. Thanks for sharing..

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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