[Xmca-l] Re: Scientists find that memories may be passed through DNA

[David Russell]

Thanks to Jenna for raising this and Mike for providing the 1951 paper.

I had to go searching for a more basic description of *transgenerational
epigenetic inheritance* in order to understand the debate (and the paper
Mike sent along). I think I found a good one (excellent science
popularization, in my view), which I share with you here, in case others
are both as curious AND uninformed as I.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/epigenetics.htm

David


On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 2:46 PM, mike cole <lchcmike@gmail.com> wrote:

> Naturally I forgot to attach the paper!
> Grrrr.
> mike
>
>
> On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 12:42 PM, mike cole <lchcmike@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > What a great suggestion to read Waddington, Huw. He is/was a really
> > interesting developmental theorist.
> > He especially endeared me when he wrote that "A new level of development
> > is in fact nothing more than a new relevant context." The attached paper
> I
> > found online so I assume its ok to send along to any who wish to follow
> > up.
> >
> >
> > Such findings sure complicate our notions of epigenesis in interesting
> > ways.
> > mike
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 12:23 PM, Huw Lloyd <huw.softdesigns@gmail.com
> >wrote:
> >
> >> The systems dimension that I am exploring in relation to CHAT (genetic
> >> domains, functional systems) is basically in support of this sort of
> >> thing.
> >>
> >> I'd suggest looking at Waddington's papers on his experiments with
> genetic
> >> assimilation (assimilation and accommodation are the typical terms) if
> >> you're interested in "how" this may come about.
> >>
> >> Best,
> >> Huw
> >>
> >>
> >> On 5 January 2014 17:48, Jenna McWilliams <jennamcjenna@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> > I wonder if any xmca'ers have thoughts on this interesting piece of
> >> > research about inheritability of memories. Here's a snippet, with the
> >> link
> >> > to the full article below.
> >> >
> >> > New research from Emory University School of Medicine, in Atlanta, has
> >> > shown that it is possible for some information to be inherited
> >> biologically
> >> > through chemical changes that occur in DNA. During the tests they
> >> learned
> >> > that that mice can pass on learned information about traumatic or
> >> stressful
> >> > experiences – in this case a fear of the smell of cherry blossom – to
> >> > subsequent generations.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> http://www.sciencegymnasium.com/2014/01/scientists-have-found-that-memories-may.html
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Jenna McWilliams
> >> > Cultural-Historical Research SIG Communications Chair
> >> > Learning Sciences Program, Indiana University
> >> >
> >> > ~
> >> > jenmcwil@indiana.edu
> >> > jennamcjenna@gmail.com
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
>



-- 
David R. Russell, Professor
English Department
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011 USA
(515) 294-4724
Fax (515) 294-6814
drrussel@iastate.edu
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~drrussel/drresume.html