Shortly after his second birthday, my
son stopped talking. The onset of symptoms was just that abrupt. After
nearly two years of visits to doctors and specialists, he was finally
diagnosed with atypical autism.
Autism encompasses a spectrum of psychological disorders in which the
use of language, reaction to stimuli, interpretation of the outside
world, and the establishment of social relationships are difficult and
unusual. One in 110 children have autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and males are more likely to have it than females.
Autism is a complex disease with no single known cause. The range of
disorders that autism comprises is such that no two children who’ve been
diagnosed with autism are the same. Autism arises from a mixture of
genetic and environmental factors, which as of yet, have not been
clearly delineated.
Epigenetics,
a relatively new field in science, could help define the causes of
Autism and offer up new modes of treatment for the disorder, as well as
other diseases like cancer, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
Epigenetics is the study of gene expression governed by the epigenome,
the cellular material that sits on top of our genetic code. The
epigenome does not change the genetic code inscribed in our DNA;
rather, it activates or silences genes through the mobilization of
molecules called methyl groups. These chemical changes are triggered by
our environment. Toxins, pollutants, changes in diet, deficiencies in
prenatal nutrition, and exposure to stressors alters the way our genes
are expressed through the epigenome. Furthermore, epigenetics has
proven that these changes in gene expression are passed down to our
offspring, for at least one generation. Epigenetics renders the argument
of nature vs. nuture moot because it establishes that the two are are
inextricably intertwined. In regards to human development, one is as
important as the other.
We know that negative behaviors like smoking cigarettes, poor diet, or
drinking access amounts of alcohol shortens our lifespan, but now
epigenetics is confirming that these behaviors can predispose our
children, and even our grandchildren, to similar diseases and decrease
their longevity too.
Research in epigenetics reveals that both paternal and maternal toxic environmental exposures play a role in the development of disease in their offspring and future generations. Parental exposure to the popular herbicide Roundup has been linked to birth defects in their offspring. Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the herbicide agent orange, like my father was, pass on an increased risk for spina bifida and other diseases to their children. The prenatal nutrition of mothers has been shown to have an impact on an offspring’s risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. A study on the eating habits of multiple generations of families in Sweden revealed that grandfathers who went from a normal diet to regularly overeating had grandsons who died an average of six years earlier than the grandsons of those who didn’t. The bottom line is this: your grandparents’ and parents’ behaviors, and any toxins or trauma they were exposed to, affects your health directly. Likewise, your behaviors and any toxins or trauma you’re exposed to could affect the health of your children and grandchildren.
Research in epigenetics reveals that both paternal and maternal toxic environmental exposures play a role in the development of disease in their offspring and future generations. Parental exposure to the popular herbicide Roundup has been linked to birth defects in their offspring. Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the herbicide agent orange, like my father was, pass on an increased risk for spina bifida and other diseases to their children. The prenatal nutrition of mothers has been shown to have an impact on an offspring’s risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. A study on the eating habits of multiple generations of families in Sweden revealed that grandfathers who went from a normal diet to regularly overeating had grandsons who died an average of six years earlier than the grandsons of those who didn’t. The bottom line is this: your grandparents’ and parents’ behaviors, and any toxins or trauma they were exposed to, affects your health directly. Likewise, your behaviors and any toxins or trauma you’re exposed to could affect the health of your children and grandchildren.
Epigenetics may provide hard scientific evidence of intergenerational trauma among American Indians
and link it directly to diseases that currently afflict us, like
cancer and diabetes. The term “intergenerational trauma” has been used
to describe the cumulative effects of trauma experienced by a group or
individual that radiates across generations. For natives,
intergenerational trauma has presented itself in the form of genocide,
disease, poverty, forced assimilation via removal of children from
their families to boarding schools, the seizure and environmental
destruction of homelands, and other routes of European colonization.
The effects of intergenerational trauma include substance abuse,
depression, anxiety, and a variety of other emotional problems.
Emotional stress has also shown to effect gene expression via the
epigenome. Studies show that the withholding of affection by a mother
elicits brain changes in her infant that impairs their response to
stress as an adult.
Epigenetics offers remarkable potential for the prevention of disease
among American Indians as well. We can use epigenetic inheritance to
restore the action of our genetic code from one generation to the next.
Once environmental stressors are removed and behavior is corrected,
our DNA will revert to its original programming. We could cure diabetes
through behavioral changes that allow our epigenome to operate
correctly. The elimination of toxins and pollutants could greatly
reduce the incidence of cancer and birth defects. Such modification of
environmental exposures and behaviors will restore and even improve the
overall health and capacity of our genetic line.
As for my son, further research in epigenetics may soon decipher the
specific mixture of genetics and environmental exposures that lead to
Autism Spectrum Disorders. Along with other scientific discoveries, we
are hopeful that such studies will develop treatment that will lessen
the severity of the symptoms that make his life difficult. Until that
time, we’ll continue to love and nurture our son, and thank the Creator
for entrusting us with such a miraculous, artistically talented child,
whose brave struggle to learn how to express emotions like anger and
love inspires everyone around him.
Ruth Hopkins (Sisseton-Wahpeton/Mdewakanton/Hunkpapa) is a writer, a
pro-bono tribal attorney, a science professor, and a columnist for
the Indian Country Today Media Network. She can be reached at cankudutawin@hotmail.com
Read more: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/ict_sbc/epigenetics-scientific-evidence-of-intergenerational-trauma#ixzz1f0XmUrMD
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I have just begun to study intergenerational trauma in the past decade as a Native American adoptee. In my work as an English adjunct in a predominantly non-native area, I have been able to introduce this into my class room at the university level. Promoting awareness is key. As a Native American Christian I know that even the Bible warns of intergenerational trauma. Non-natives--our oppressors, also suffer because these acts of genocide were accomplished by their ancestors. They have not escaped the long-reaching arm of western thinking that blinds them to previous acts and this is why it is still a great concern for both sides. I see the effects in my own indigenous family of intergenerational trauma as I was adopted off the reservation under false pretenses. I am firmly convinced the adoption of uncountable Native children is just another act of prolonged genocide, seperating children from their family, culture and traditional ways and giving us new identites in the hopes we will never want to or be able to return to our birth families. This reinforces we, as Native people, are aware of intergenerational trauma and its effects in a way non-native people are not. We are still here as warriors fighting against what has been done to us. We are resilient. We are learning how to make sense of it all when the majority of non-native people won't even be aware of their part. Perhaps the work we do today will one day be used to open more eyes as to how to heal from the damage we have suffered. We are working hard at breaking the bonds of intergenerational trauma every day.
ReplyDeleteYes, anonymous, yes. That is our work.
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