Humans love to categorize, we put everything into nice little boxes, even other people. The nurture vs nature debate has been going on since the 1800s but remain largely undecided.
During the last decade genetic research have made a lot of progress and what have emerged from the results, in regards to the nature vs nurture debate, is that this age old argument is gravely inadequate.
Once we believed that DNA remain unchanged from the moment that egg and sperm meet, however research in the past decade have blown this theory out of the water. Post mortem studies on brain samples from suicide victims found epigenetic changes to the DNA of some of the victims that occurred after birth due to child abuse.
Another very interesting study done on rats showed how a mother rats frequent licking alter the DNA methylation levels in her pups. Methylation levels can alter genetic switches from on to off or vice versa.
Identical twins were studied for differences in the expression of their genes. Sharing a placenta, identical twins are born with the same genes expressed. However as they mature differences in their genetic makeup emerge, until maturity when there are a substantial amount of genes expressed differently in the twins.
It is clear from these and several other studies that both a mothers diet during pregnancy and her behavior after birth have an enormous impact on her children. Scientists now know that many serious illnesses like cancer can be mapped genetically in the womb, only to emerge decades later.
After conception a baby maps his epigenome by switching genes on or off according to the signals that he receive from his environment. A pregnant mother influences this environment with everything she eats, drinks, touches even breathes. Sweeping changes occur to a baby’s DNA and can influence his health decades later.
You can help your baby achieve the best possible genetic outcome during your pregnancy and practice a sensitive parenting style after birth to help your child achieve happiness and success in life.