Gaza - ALsharqiya, August 5: In the shadow of the catastrophic famine in the Gaza Strip, recent scientific studies indicate that the effects of hunger go beyond momentary pain, but extend deeper and longer-lasting—changing the body's composition, being recorded in the genes, and passed on to offspring.
Epigenetics
When a person experiences famine, not only does their appetite change, but so does how their genes behave. DNA methylation occurs—chemical modifications that turn genes on or off as needed. These modifications may program the body to store excessive energy or become more acute in its response to stress—and these traits are then passed on to offspring, even though they did not directly experience famine.
The Effect of Hunger on the Brain
Hunger during pregnancy or early childhood can negatively impact brain development, resulting in later cognitive or behavioral problems.
Lessons from History
The "Dutch Hunger Winter" experiment during World War II showed that children of mothers who experienced hunger during pregnancy later suffered from chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, despite being raised in healthy nutritional environments.
Experiments on Mice
A 2017 study at Saint Mary's University demonstrated that mice that experienced repeated hunger experiences developed a biological ability to adapt to famine—and this adaptation was passed on to their offspring.
The Most Important Message:
Famine in Gaza today is not just a temporary humanitarian disaster, but a long-term biological threat to future generations. Ignoring it means we are not only destroying the present, but also jeopardizing the future of those yet to be born.
