Behaviour can be affected by events in previous generations which have been
passed on through a form of genetic memory, animal studies suggest.
The findings provide evidence of "transgenerational epigenetic inheritance" -
that the environment can affect an individual's genetics, which can in turn be
passed on.
One of the researchers Dr Brian Dias told the BBC: "This might be one
mechanism that descendants show imprints of their ancestor.
"There is absolutely no doubt that what happens to the sperm and egg will
affect subsequent generations."
