For years, whole groups of people spoke about and believed our cellular makeup could retain (or remember) emotions that passed on through our DNA makeup. They called is cellular memory but it was never embraced by scientists, or proven, for that matter. I read about it in books by Sylvia Browne, a well-known psychic. She talks about cellular memory affecting who we are, lifetime after lifetime. It was a very interesting theory to me and some part of me actually thought it made sense but it wasn’t until I came across an article this week on epi-genetics that I began to really believe in cellular memory and the power that it holds. This article in Discovery magazine from May 2013 states that epigenetics refers to methyl groups that are attached to the genes, residing beside but separate from the DNA code. These groups tell the DNA which genes to transcribe, whether for a heart, liver, or brain cell. The article goes on to explain how a couple of scientists discussing genetics came to the conclusion that if diet and chemicals can cause epigenetic changes, then couldn’t experiences also set off changes to the DNA inside the neurons of a person’s brain? This is the discussion that led to this whole new field of study: behavioral epigenetics. And what, pray tell, does all this have to do with you? Well read this line from the article: “You might have inherited not just your grandmother’s knobby knees, but also her predisposition toward depression caused by the neglect she suffered as a newborn.” This where I stopped and considered the possibilities of what epigenetics have done to adoptees. If we can inherit our grandparents behaviors because of traumatic experiences, isn’t it likely that we inherited some type of behavior due to the traumatic experience our mothers went through by relinquishing a child? It certainly does give credence to the Primal Wound Theory, as well. Our genetic makeup was certainly affected by the trauma of being abandoned or given to another family and this could possibly affect our descendent. As adoptees continue to question who they are really, this seems like a field of study that could help us understand the answer to that question. I’ve always been obsessed with genetics and the nature vs. nurture theory because I believe that it could explain why I am the way I am and somehow that would make me happy because answers to my questions always makes me happy. Epigenetics could tell us why some adoptees are so much more hurt and angry than others, or why some adoptees have no interest in the fact they’re adopted while it ruins other adoptee’s lives even if they had loving home and family. It also fuels the anger for those who don’t know who gave them the genes they inherited because this means there are more answers locked away from them by antiquated and cruel laws keeping their identities secret. Let’s continue to fight these laws and have hope that in the meantime, advances in science are being made so eventually, all adoptees will have ALL the answers. Knowledge is power and the path to acceptance of ourselves and others. What do you think of epigenetics and its affects on adoptees? How do you feel this relates to you?
Please read this fascinating article from Discovery: http://discovermagazine.com/