Domestic violence damages the DNA of the child

Scientists have found that family violence or suicide change the genetics of the child by damaging the chromosomes.

A study at the University of New Orleans showed that domestic violence leaves scars not only in the soul and the psyche of the child, but also a very significant mark on his DNA. Children raised in such environments have significantly shorter telomeres in their genes than peers from wealthier families. Such genetic damage increases the risk of premature death, heart disease, obesity and other health problems.

Shorter telomeres are associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, obesity, cognitive disorders, diabetes and mental illness. For the study, researchers took genetic samples from 80 children aged from five to 15 years in New Orleans and interview the parents about their home. Dr. Stacy Drury: "family stress have created an environment that affected the DNA in the cells of the children. The greater the amount of violence these kids had in life, the more short telomeres they had — and this was after accounting for many other factors, including socio-economic status, mother's education, age of parents of the child."

Source: nauka24news.ru/