Scientists from the University of Canada have conducted a
research that has led them to think that a man's health habits may affect his grandchildren. More specifically, they studied proteins called histones, which are elements of sperm that are transported during fertilization. It is known that histones bind to DNA during cell formation so they could condense more efficiently to fit in a cell's nucleus.
In previous researches, it was found that alcohol and tobacco use can affect the health and development of the offspring even before conception. For example, in a
study reported in
Medical News Today, children with fathers that smoke are suggested to have an increased risk of asthma.
The researchers from the University of Canada modified the histones in mice and bred two generations. The result of this breeding is that the mice from both generations were found to be prone to birth defects and they had abnormal skeletal formation, which affects their chances of survival. The conclusion of this study is that histones may in fact be directly linked to inheritance. If further study was conducted, we may be able to find a way to genetically modify the histones so only healthy genes would be inherited by the offspring. I think this would be a great leap forward for the advancement of medicine and health.
