# 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:** 9
**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, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/161 "2023-11-11T03:13:20Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > We do need an experimental control. Let’s set up two separate breeding populations, one all-male and one all-female. If your neurosemenological theory is correct, only the all-male population will breed subsequent generations of smarter offsprin I had already thought of that. Wouldn’t that only be useful on the first generation? ---
**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, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/162 "2023-11-11T03:16:06Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Wouldn’t that only be useful on the first generation? I now see the flaw in my experimental design. What about adoption? ---
**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, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/163 "2023-11-11T03:58:37Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I will go back and highlight the parts of the last link I posted that apply directly to my hypothesis When’s this going to happen? Because previous requests for citations haven’t exactly been coming . . . (phrasing Crow, phrasing) from you. ---
**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, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/164 "2023-11-11T04:09:20Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > en’s this going to happen? Because previous requests for citations haven’t exactly forth coming . . . (phrasing Crow, phrasing) You need to read the entire link I posted in post #122. It is only a few paragraphs that are pertinent, but it definitely establishes that seminal fluids play a part in evolution. ---
**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, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/165 "2023-11-11T04:14:29Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > You need to read the entire link I posted in post #122. It is only a few paragraphs that are pertinent Umm, how does me reading your link accomplish you highlighting the parts of the last link you posted that apply directly to your hypothesis? Should I just guess which paragraphs you think are the pertinent ones? ---
**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, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/166 "2023-11-11T04:16:13Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Should I just guess which paragraphs you think are the pertinent ones? It’s not that much reading and bits and pcs are scattered throughout. Not more than 2 minutes at the very most. ---
**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, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/167 "2023-11-11T04:20:43Z")
So, you are not unable to cite anything that you have read that supports any of your claims you are unwilling. ---
**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, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/168 "2023-11-11T04:36:20Z")
Yes, I did cite the paper on it and I directed you to the link. What more do you want? ---
**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, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/169 "2023-11-11T04:39:38Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Yes, I did cite the paper on it and I directed you to the link. What more do you want? I have read it. You might as well have cited a Dr. Seuss book for all the relevance your link has to the nonsense that you are posting in this 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 11, 2023, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/170 "2023-11-11T04:51:24Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I have read it. You might as well have cited a Dr. Seuss book for all the relevance your link has to the nonsense that you are posting in this thread. Please try to evaluate this as objectively as you can. There are very few actual behaviors that could be passed on through seminal fluid because it would have no way to interpret it. One of the few things that it could interpret would be higher levels of brain activity… because the fluid would contain more neuro chemicals. They clearly stated that the seminal does affect the behavior of the sperm and they clearly stated that it is a huge variable from male to male and very significant. I am still not claiming it actually works like I am thinking but at the very least it does warrant being looked at. ---
**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, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/171 "2023-11-11T05:03:04Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > One of the few things that it could interpret would be higher levels of brain activity… because the fluid would contain more neuro chemicals. This is utter nonsense, and the article says nothing remotely like this. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > They clearly stated that the seminal does affect the behavior of the sperm and they clearly stated that it is a huge variable from male to male and very significant. Of course the seminal fluid is important for the sperm, but that does not imply any of your outlandish claims. Mocking your Time Cube Biology has been mildly entertaining, but I’m done here. Good night. ---
**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, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/172 "2023-11-11T07:05:37Z")
Oh, you’re confused. I want what this guy promised the thread, > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I will go back and highlight the parts of the last link I posted that apply directly to my hypothesis ---
**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 11, 2023, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/173 "2023-11-11T12:46:05Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Yes, I did cite the paper on it and I directed you to the link. What more do you want? I already asked you to quote the relevant parts of the article. You’ve not done that. I don’t think that article supports any of the claims you said it does. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/174 "2023-11-11T14:52:47Z")
> [@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 Remind me never to go drinking with you. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/175 "2023-11-11T20:29:07Z")
Epigenetics changes can occur in the germ line and be passed on to future generations. The embryo will make a few attempts to scrub the methylated genes to reset such changes but some genes are specifically avoided and some appear to remethylate. ---
**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, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/176 "2023-11-11T20:45:37Z")
That sounds interesting! I am going to consult with my dictionary, and I will get back to you in a bit. > [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > Epigenetics changes can occur in the germ line and be passed on to future generations. The embryo will make a few attempts to scrub the methylated genes to reset such changes but some genes are specifically avoided and some appear to remethylate. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/177 "2023-11-11T20:55:38Z")
Of course behavior can affect your DNA. For instance, if you stand next to a chunk of uranium, or eat mutagenic chemicals, your DNA can be randomly damaged. Sometimes even the DNA of your germ cells. ---
**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, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/178 "2023-11-11T21:26:31Z")
I am going to take it a step further and I don’t think this is absurd at all and might even make sense. The seminal fluid is in contact both with the sperm and the egg. Could the chemical content of the seminal fluid be communicating with the egg it’s current neuro chemical construction just as the new life was forming? If so it would experience that neuro chemical cocktail for the first time. It would be imprinted with that forever.??? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/179 "2023-11-11T22:07:53Z")
There’s no “new life”. Both the egg and the sperm are already alive. The egg even has all the parts cells generally need. What’s happening is that live cells combine to make a fertilized egg. I suspect that which sperm reaches the egg and whether the egg succeeds in implanting can both be influenced by chemicals in the seminal fluid. Neither of those “change DNA”, but they’d have a statistical effect on which genes survive to the next generation. ---
**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, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/180 "2023-11-11T22:24:13Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > suspect that which sperm reaches the egg and whether the egg succeeds in implanting can both be influenced by chemicals in the seminal fluid. Neither of those “change DNA”, but they’d have a statistical effect on which genes survive to the next generation. So you don’t think any imprint could be happening at that time? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736.md?page=10)