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Transgenerational Epigenetics

Meaning

Transgenerational Epigenetics describes the phenomenon where environmental or lifestyle exposures in one generation induce epigenetic modifications—changes in gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence—that are stably inherited across subsequent generations. These changes are passed down through the germline (sperm or egg) and influence the phenotype, health, and disease risk of offspring who were never directly exposed to the original environmental factor. This field challenges classical genetics by demonstrating a mechanism for non-Mendelian inheritance of acquired characteristics, linking parental health and lifestyle directly to the longevity of their descendants.