# Can behavior affect our DNA **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2023, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736 "2023-11-07T06:40:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/121 "2023-11-09T23:18:13Z")
I don’t want to wade into the scientific fight, but I came across the article below and it made me think of the OP’s title > [@](#): > > Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in gene expression…changes that are inherited, but they are _not_ inherent to our DNA. For instance, life experiences, which aren’t directly coded in human DNA, can actually be passed on to children. Studies have shown that survivors of traumatic events may have effects in subsequent generations… > > “We previously showed that worms inherited small RNAs following the starvation and viral infections of their parents. These small RNAs helped prepare their offspring for similar hardships,” Dr. Rechavi said. He goes on the explain the research, noting “We also identified a mechanism that amplified heritable small RNAs across generations, so the response was not diluted. We found that enzymes called RdRPs are required for re-creating new small RNAs to keep the response going in subsequent generations.” > **[Memories Can Be Inherited, and Scientists May Have Just Figured out How](https://futurism.com/memories-can-inherited-scientists-may-just-figured)** > > Our life experiences may be passed on to our children and our children's children - and now scientists report that they have discovered that this inheritance can be turned on or off. So, if this is accurate, _how_ are the “small RNAs” across generations being transmitted to offspring? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/122 "2023-11-09T23:40:14Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > _how_ are the “small RNAs” across generations being transmitted to offspring They can move between tissues including from soma to germline, and pass between generations in germline cells. The headline “Memories can be inherited… our life experiences may be passed on to our children” is fatuous hyperbole. The small RNA field is fascinating, but it’s a wild exaggeration to say that we know that anything other than processes akin to _immunological_ memory can be inherited epigenetically. And my children can already inherit my life experiences without an epigenetic mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/123 "2023-11-10T22:36:56Z")
[Seminal fluid: Current Biology (cell.com)](https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(17)30363-9?fbclid=IwAR0JnVmLYmp_7PFq2nLDYw-OIGPZqiBdx1Z1b5eBl5ZGPl0D-LZ3oAZbO10) I thought this was interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/124 "2023-11-10T22:42:25Z")
Well, at the very least, it’s an interesting way to start an article: > _What is seminal fluid?_ Whether ejaculated directly into the female reproductive tract, deposited on the ground, or broadcast into the surrounding environment… But what does it have to do with thread? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/125 "2023-11-10T22:56:07Z")
It talks a lot about the chemicals and hormones that seminal fluid contains and a vital role it plays in the development of the semen. That chemical cocktail will change and relation to a person’s state of mind and emotional well-being. So now we know that seminal fluid does play a vital role in the development of the sperm and we also know that it is affected by external condition. That’s really all I was trying to establish. Then that was going to lead me into the next step which would be what possible reasons there could be for making a correction at this particular point of development ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/126 "2023-11-10T23:00:19Z")
I think we’ll be ok without all that. It’s didn’t work out well for the Nazis to try and make a better race. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/127 "2023-11-10T23:05:31Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I think we’ll be ok without all that. > > It’s didn’t work out well for the Nazis to try and make a better r No, but if a link is shown it might be considered one step in pre-natal care. It might show some link in parents behavior prior to conception affecting the new born. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/128 "2023-11-10T23:08:00Z")
Oh, just stop. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/129 "2023-11-10T23:22:44Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > So now we know that seminal fluid Yeah . . . so why did you keep saying “spinal fluid”? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/130 "2023-11-10T23:31:56Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Yeah . . . so why did you keep saying “spinal fluid”? Because the spinal fluid is the source of “Whatever?” instead of the blood stream. They are very different. It appears that the chemicals in the spinal fluid are present in the seminal fluid. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/131 "2023-11-10T23:46:26Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > It talks a lot about the chemicals and hormones that seminal fluid contains and a vital role it plays in the development of the semen. That chemical cocktail will change and relation to a person’s state of mind and emotional well-being. Does it say any of that? > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > So now we know that seminal fluid does play a vital role in the development of the sperm and we also know that it is affected by external condition. I think you need to quote the relevant part of the article before assuming anyone is onboard with that conclusion. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Because the spinal fluid is the source of “Whatever?” Whatever? You’re going to need to be more specific. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > It appears that the chemicals in the spinal fluid are present in the seminal fluid. Ok, and? Two things that have the same chemicals present doesn’t mean anything. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/132 "2023-11-10T23:52:23Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I think you need to quote the relevant part of the article before assuming anyone is onboard with that conclusion. He can start with any part of that article that mentions _spinal fluid_ because my search says “No matches.” ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/133 "2023-11-11T00:07:45Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Two things that have the same chemicals present doesn’t mean anything The article establishes that it does make a difference. Finding out what that difference is would be almost impossible. I think the difference would be extremely subtle and possibly only present itself very softly and almost imperceptible into the gene pool. The post is really just speculation based on what little we already know. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/134 "2023-11-11T00:09:47Z")
So not worth discussing. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/135 "2023-11-11T00:19:48Z")
That would be a matter of personal taste. Some people might enjoy talking about different types of tests you could do that would help to identify things like this. I have my own pet theories that I would consider fun to talk about but with all the snark and sarcasm here fun is no longer an option. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/136 "2023-11-11T00:21:16Z")
Good-bye ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/137 "2023-11-11T00:25:46Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I have my own pet theories No, you have baseless assertions, nothing you’ve presented (in any thread) rises to _supported hypothesis_ let alone _scientific theory_. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/138 "2023-11-11T00:32:00Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > No, you have baseless assertions, nothing you’ve presented (in any thread) rises to _supported hypothesis_ let alone _scientific theory_. This is an absolutely false statement that has no place in this thread at all. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/139 "2023-11-11T00:51:25Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > The article establishes that it does make a difference. Posting a cite does not mean posting an article that contains 30% of the words that you used, in a different order. Everything that you have said in this thread is utter nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/140 "2023-11-11T01:00:51Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Everything that you have said in this thread is utter nonsense. The more I read the more I am convinced it is not non sense, regardless I do give you credit for at least advancing the thread with your posts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736.md?page=8)