莫薛．思夫: 早期的生活經驗會改變 DNA

早期的生活經驗會改變 DNA

莫薛．思夫是表觀遺傳學領域的先驅，研究生物如何重新編寫其基因組，以應對壓力和缺乏食物等社會因素。他的研究表明，從母親傳遞到後代的生化信號，會告訴孩子他們將生活在什麼樣的世界，改變基因的表現。 「DNA 不僅僅是一串字母序列，也不只是一個指令碼。DNA 是一場動態電影，我們的經驗正在被寫入。」思夫如是說。

Early life experiences trigger chemical changes that influence how genes are expressed, affecting lifelong health and behavior. In one striking study, rat pups licked more by their mothers grew up less stressed and more resilient. Mammals, including humans, inherit not just DNA but also epigenetic 'marks' that prepare them for the world their mothers anticipate. These changes can explain why social stress, poverty, or even natural disasters leave lasting imprints on future generations.