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A recent research showed that violence leaves a mark on the mind and the body through epigenetic modifications that can be transmitted across generations.(1) By analyzing Syrian refugees exposed to war, researchers identified differences in DNA methylation among individuals who had experienced violence directly, those exposed in utero, and those who inherited the trauma without direct exposure. Some of these modifications persisted across generations, suggesting that trauma can be biologically inherited. Furthermore, children exposed to prenatal violence exhibited accelerated epigenetic aging, which may have long-term health consequences.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the specific population studied, as they highlight the potential biological legacy of war and conflict. Children growing up in war zones—such as those in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions—are not only affected by immediate psychological trauma but also by biological changes that may shape their future health and behavior. These epigenetic alterations could influence stress response, cognitive development, and disease susceptibility. Some of these children may display increased aggression, distrust, or difficulties in social integration, not as a matter of personal choice but as a consequence of the physiological imprint of trauma. Understanding this mechanism challenges simplistic narratives of resilience and adaptation, shifting the focus toward the long-term biological cost of war.
This knowledge underscores the urgency of developing targeted interventions for war-affected populations. Strategies should prioritize the protection of pregnant women from stress and malnutrition, as well as the provision of psychological and social support for children. Understanding that trauma is an immediate experience and potentially heritable condition should influence global humanitarian policies. If adverse experiences can be biologically imprinted, positive interventions—such as stability, care, and safe environments—may also leave a lasting impact. Addressing the needs of these children should not be framed as a response to an immediate crisis but as a critical investment in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and fostering healthier, more stable societies.
1) Mulligan, C.J., Quinn, E.B., Hamadmad, D. et al.Epigenetic signatures of intergenerational exposure to violence in three generations of Syrian refugees.Sci Rep 15, 5945 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89818-z
Competing interests:
No competing interests
06 March 2025
Giovanni Ghirga
Paediatrician
Scientific Committee Member of ISDE Italy (International Society of Doctors for the Environment), Basel, Switzerland.
Intergenerational Epigenetic Imprints of War: The Biological Legacy of Trauma in Conflict-Affected Populations
Dear Editor
A recent research showed that violence leaves a mark on the mind and the body through epigenetic modifications that can be transmitted across generations.(1) By analyzing Syrian refugees exposed to war, researchers identified differences in DNA methylation among individuals who had experienced violence directly, those exposed in utero, and those who inherited the trauma without direct exposure. Some of these modifications persisted across generations, suggesting that trauma can be biologically inherited. Furthermore, children exposed to prenatal violence exhibited accelerated epigenetic aging, which may have long-term health consequences.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the specific population studied, as they highlight the potential biological legacy of war and conflict. Children growing up in war zones—such as those in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions—are not only affected by immediate psychological trauma but also by biological changes that may shape their future health and behavior. These epigenetic alterations could influence stress response, cognitive development, and disease susceptibility. Some of these children may display increased aggression, distrust, or difficulties in social integration, not as a matter of personal choice but as a consequence of the physiological imprint of trauma. Understanding this mechanism challenges simplistic narratives of resilience and adaptation, shifting the focus toward the long-term biological cost of war.
This knowledge underscores the urgency of developing targeted interventions for war-affected populations. Strategies should prioritize the protection of pregnant women from stress and malnutrition, as well as the provision of psychological and social support for children. Understanding that trauma is an immediate experience and potentially heritable condition should influence global humanitarian policies. If adverse experiences can be biologically imprinted, positive interventions—such as stability, care, and safe environments—may also leave a lasting impact. Addressing the needs of these children should not be framed as a response to an immediate crisis but as a critical investment in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and fostering healthier, more stable societies.
1) Mulligan, C.J., Quinn, E.B., Hamadmad, D. et al.Epigenetic signatures of intergenerational exposure to violence in three generations of Syrian refugees.Sci Rep 15, 5945 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89818-z
Competing interests: No competing interests