In 2005, Washington State University biology professor Michael Skinner (Michael Skinner) and colleagues in the "Science" (Science) magazine published a paper, sparked a heated debate. Paper describes: a group of pregnant female rats, in a very short time with an agrochemical only contact occurs, resulting in gene expression occurred in the offspring of heritable changes even affect the fourth generation of young cubs.
At issue is the paper concluded: These genetic changes can not because of DNA mutations, but the so-called "epigenetic marks" (epigenetic mark) caused by a change. Epigenetic marks are attached to a class of DNA that can regulate gene expression by small molecules. According to the traditional theory of genetics, when the fetus in the womb, all the epigenetic marks (some exceptions) will be cleared, and will go through two "reset." Therefore, the next generation of the body should not be any appearance of mutations acquired.
Since 2005, Skinner's team and the other team made a lot of inter-generational genetic research on acquired characteristics. Study in mice plants and large objects, as well as flies, worms and other organisms. These findings can not help but ask: the same phenomenon also occurs in the human body do?
For this problem, Skinner in "Global Science" 2014 9 "environmental damage will be genetic," the made "will almost certainly be" response. In view of humans and other species, there are many similarities in biology, he believes that these studies can hinted to us, environmental pollution - whether contaminated fuel or pesticide pollution - is causing some never touched these pollutants part of the reason people get sick. These people just from their parents or grandparents who inherited the apparent deleterious mutations.
Many scientists in the scientific papers and mass media pointed out that, to mice results and experiences of ordinary people linked together, there are many questions still need answers. For example, experiments in all rodents are injected with high doses of toxic chemicals, but usually, only humans through the skin, mouth, nose contact with trace amounts of toxic substances. Moreover, the animals undergo a rigorous control and artificial breeding, genetic background, diet and daily activities are the same, humanity is not possible to do this.
However, if it happens at the epigenetic more people, and researchers have found that it can bring the effect of it? Whether it is from a moral point of view, or a practical point of view, it is difficult to answer this question. Perhaps the biggest challenge we face is: only when the intergenerational effects of epigenetic performance in the fourth generation offspring, we can say with certainty that this is indeed a trait can be in human terms, this means that pregnant women suffered environmental damage, it must be reflected in the great-grandson of the body - which is about 75 years before.
(The author: W Waite Gibbs / W Wayt Translation: small and easily)
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