Spiritual Genetics: If I Change My Character, Will It Affect the DNA of My Children?

In recent years, increasing evidence and various studies have confirmed that learned traits can indeed be inherited by offspring. The field of epigenetics examines heritable changes in gene activity and expression. While the genetic code itself doesn’t change, there is an effect on the expression levels of certain genes- meaning that some genes may be strengthened while others are suppressed.

A striking example of this was documented in the research of Daniel Natt and colleagues. They found that a hen living in an environment with inconsistent food availability tends to eat accessible food immediately, rather than seeking out higher-quality food. This behavior differs from hens in stable environments who are more selective.

What’s truly surprising is that when the offspring of the hens from the unstable environment were separated from their mothers immediately after hatching (eliminating behavioral influence from the parent), the chicks still adopted the same behavior of eating readily available food without searching for better options. Gene expression tests on these chicks showed the same patterns found in the DNA of their parents.

The implication here is that a trait acquired by the parents during their lives was biologically passed on to their offspring, born after the trait had been acquired.

Torah Wisdom: Revealing Truths Long Before Modern Science

Modern researchers have only recently uncovered these insights, but the Jewish people who received the Torah from the Creator, have known these truths all along.

When Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a wife for his son Isaac, he sets a clear condition: "Do not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I dwell" (Genesis 24:3). Abraham insists she must not be from Canaan and sends Eliezer to Haran instead.

The Malbim explains that the reason is because the Canaanite people were corrupt in their character. The Ran (Rabbeinu Nissim of Gerona) elaborates: Mitzvot (commandments) and transgressions in the Torah affect a person in two ways- some influence both the body and soul through actions and behaviors, and others impact only the soul, particularly in beliefs.

Those that affect both the body and soul, such as hatred, vengeance, cruelty, stinginess, and promiscuity, leave an imprint on a person’s physical constitution, which can then be passed down to their descendants. Just as someone with hot blood may naturally have a short temper, likewise, one who frequently gets angry will cause their own blood to become "hot," reinforcing these traits. These emotional tendencies shape bodily temperaments and are biologically inherited.

This, the Ran explains, is the flaw of the Canaanites. False beliefs alone, such as idol worship, do not get passed down genetically. Even though Rebecca’s father Bethuel and her brother Laban were idol worshippers, it was still appropriate for her to marry Isaac. False beliefs don’t pass down through heredity, but character traits do.

As the Ran writes: "Because the daughters of Canaan were innately steeped in negative traits, the Patriarchs chose to distance themselves from them and connect instead with people who were not naturally inclined toward such negative tendencies- even if they practiced idolatry- since those traits are inherited by offspring, like hereditary physical illnesses described in medical texts."
(Drashot HaRan, Drasha 5)

Next time you’re struggling to improve your character, keep in mind that you’re providing a gift for your future children, and helping them begin life one step ahead.