Memories in our DNA?

Like me I am sure you have known people with traits, habits, and behaviors that you notice in other members of their families. We are all guilty of statements like "Their whole family is paranoid and strange" or " He isn't the only one in his family with this habit" Well recent animal studies seem to support the idea that some memories are actually passed on from generation to generation through a part of DNA. Here is the report on the subject on BBC World News;

'Memories' pass between generations

Behaviour can be affected by events in previous generations which have been passed on through a form of genetic memory, animal studies suggest.

Experiments showed that a traumatic event could affect the DNA in sperm and alter the brains and behaviour of subsequent generations. A Nature Neuroscience study shows mice trained to avoid a smell passed their aversion on to their "grandchildren". Experts said the results were important for phobia and anxiety research. The animals were trained to fear a smell similar to cherry blossom.

The team at the Emory University School of Medicine, in the US, then looked at what was happening inside the sperm. (Continue..)