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How Experiences Influence Behaviors through Epigenetics
It is true to large extent that the experiences that people have personally can and will
affect not only their behavior, but also their genetics. This effect on genetics will then lead to a
predisposition in future generations for similar impact on health and well-being in their lifetime.
The key to epigenetics and gene modification are histones, which bind to the DNA receptors.
When new experiences happen such as learning or trauma, it can cause the histones to either turn
on or off a gene, thus creating a different genetic makeup, and therefore causing alternate
behaviors.
Epigenetic Changes Explained
“Epigenetics refers to both heritable changes in gene activity and expression (in the
progeny of cells or of individuals) and also stable, long-term alterations in the transcriptional
potential of a cell that are not necessarily heritable.” (Arisztabal et. al, 2020) This means that
some changes are made to the cells in the body, not due to inherited mutations, but instead
through mutations over time due to experiences had by an individual and progressing over time
after. “Epigenetic mechanisms are heavily involved in the central nervous system and are
affected by psychological stressors, early childhood trauma, and even dietary intake” (Tuscher &
Day, 2019). This explanation could possibly explain how and why generational trauma, or even
some psychological illnesses have come about, although this topic is still heavily debated
amongst the scientific community.
How Experiences can Affect Genes and Behavior
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It has been proven time and time again that childhood experiences shape the personality
traits and behaviors of adults. The study of Epigenetics has been found to play quite a major
role in understanding the complexity of just how much experiences of not only a singular
person, but family members prior to them, contribute to the daily life of each individual on
this planet. Studies have even proven this, in fact, a study done in 2020 states that
“Conditions in early childhood shape the genetic expression in adulthood” (O’Donnel &
Meaney, 2020).
Some might wonder, why, then, everyone with similar experiences do not have similar
genetic changes or behavioral changes. Studies suggest that “Two people can interpret the
same situation differently, thereby creating different affects” (Anreiter et. al., 2018),
therefore two people having the exact same experience does not necessarily predict how
each individual will respond to said event. While one may experience trauma in one way, the
other may interpret it and experience it completely differently. This could be due to the
individuals’ response to negative experiences relating to the Family Systems Theory. While
one may react with fight-or-flight tendencies, another might freeze, etc.
Epigenetic Changes May Create Multigenerational Disruptions
Because Epigenetics is still a fairly new topic amongst the scientific community, there is
still much research to be done, and so much more to learn about how these genetic changes
alter the body at a cellular level. However, “Emerging evidence indicates that epigenetic
information can potentially be transmitted to offspring, giving rise to inter- and trans-
generational epigenetic inheritance phenotypes” (Tuscher & Day, 2019). If this proves to be
true down the road, who knows what kind of scientific breakthroughs could be made in the
field of psychology. It could mean that mental disorders are not, in fact, chemical
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imbalances due to genetic defects, but due to generational trauma. If this is the case, that
opens doors to possibly curing these diseases completely, however farfetched that may
sound currently. As stated previously, one must be cautious when approaching this research.
“Although changes to the epigenetic profile have been shown in offspring, it is still highly
controversial whether or not there must also be similar experience” (Tuscher & Day, 2019).
Biblical Integration
The Biblical integration for the topic of Epigenetics is somewhat self-explanatory with
any biblical knowledge at hand, considering the long history of mistakes in humanity as a
whole causing havoc in family lineage throughout time. The Bible says in Exodus 34:7
“Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by
no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the
children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” This seems to ring true for
the phrase “the sins of the fathers.” It is also true that God does not punish a child for their
parents’ mistakes or vice versa, but sometimes the consequences for specific actions can
influence not only the offender but those closest to them. It also states in John 1:9-3 “As he
went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who
sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents
sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
This demonstrates that sometimes it is not sin that causes misfortune, illness, or other
unwanted ailments in this lifetime. The world is fallen, and some are chosen to bear specific
burdens so that Christ can be more evident in their weakness.
Conclusion
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With the emerging research, it is safe to say that there is hope to be found in the study of
Epigenetics, for a scientific, as well as biblical understanding, that has not been previously
available. The fact that actions by individuals or those around them have consequences
either directly or indirectly, has been evident since God created Adam and Eve. Just as Eve’s
decision to eat the forbidden fruit created a lineage of pain for women that came after her,
Epigenetics could be the cause of mental and behavioral discrepancy throughout individuals
and their families after them. The exciting news is that this is forward progress and more
proof that the Bible speaks truth through written word as well as science.
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References
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