As the world continues to witness conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine, public concern has focused on how the trauma endured by those caught in these crises might affect not only survivors, but also their children and grandchildren. The idea of trauma being somehow “etched” into our DNA and handed down to future generations has captivated the Thai public, especially given the country’s own turbulent history and collective memories of hardship. However, emerging scientific research reveals that the story is far more nuanced—and hopeful—than many headlines suggest.
Interest in the concept of transgenerational trauma has surged in recent years, with even prominent publications like National Geographic posing the provocative question: do our genes carry the weight of past family trauma? Such speculation has found fertile ground in Thailand, where generational stories often entwine with national trauma, ranging from the economic crisis of 1997 to regional conflicts and natural disasters. Yet leading scientists caution that trauma’s legacy isn’t simply “hard-coded” in our genes. Instead, the latest findings highlight biology’s remarkable plasticity, opening new doors for healing and hope.
Central to this conversation is the concept of “phenotypic plasticity”: the capacity for living beings to produce different outcomes from the same set of genes, depending on their environment. Imagine two siblings, raised in the same home but exposed to different levels of stress or security; their lifelong health, stress responses, and resilience may differ not because of their genes, but because those genes are “orchestrated” differently by their lived experiences.
Recent research in the emerging field of epigenetics has illuminated how stress, trauma, and even caregiving can leave “notes” on our DNA—chemical modifications that adjust how genes are expressed. Unlike mutations, these marks don’t rewrite the genetic code, but rather serve as a kind of biological post-it, telling the body when to amplify or soften the expression of certain genes. For example, studies have found that children exposed to high levels of adversity can develop altered stress physiology, making them more vigilant in threatening environments. However, these changes are not necessarily permanent scars. According to research summarized in The Conversation’s recent article by Dr. Tara-Lyn Camilleri, many epigenetic changes are dynamic and can shift as environmental conditions improve, particularly during early childhood (theconversation.com).
Animal studies give particularly vivid illustrations of this phenomenon. For example, genetically identical honeybee larvae can develop into either workers or queens purely based on what they eat while developing—demonstrating how the environment, not the DNA sequence, controls destiny. In the world of fish, sticklebacks exposed to predators as juveniles develop not only heightened vigilance but even altered body shapes, adaptations that can help them survive in dangerous waters. These changes are not due to genetic mutation, but rather to flexible biological programming triggered by the environment (theconversation.com).
In human studies, the picture is subtler but equally profound. Early-life adversity, such as growing up amid violence or instability, can shape brain development, immune system functioning, and stress reactivity. Thai researchers at several leading universities have noted, for instance, that children living under prolonged family or community stress may develop heightened “vigilance” or “mistrust” as protective responses—a phenomenon sometimes described as “environmental mismatch,” where traits helpful in one setting become problematic in peaceful times (PubMed). The lasting effects depend very much on what happens next: studies show that supportive environments, stable caregiving, and social connection can blunt, or even reverse, negative epigenetic changes.
Crucially, inheriting trauma is never a simple matter of damaged DNA. Genetics play a role in shaping sensitivity to threat, emotional regulation, and stress tolerance, but these traits unfold within a web of biological and social influences. Trauma can shape the next generation through altered parental hormones, immune responses, or even changes to the in utero environment—factors that impact developing brains and bodies. However, Thai mental health professionals emphasize that none of these influences operate in isolation; their impact depends on the broader systems of support that surround individuals and communities.
Cultural context also emerges as a potent force in either amplifying or easing inherited trauma. International studies, such as those on Holocaust survivors and their descendants, have shown that connection to culture, ritual, and community storytelling can significantly reduce the psychological burdens passed between generations (The Conversation). In New Zealand, indigenous Māori initiatives that emphasize connection to land, language, and ancestors have proven especially effective in promoting resilience after collective trauma—a finding mirrored in research among Thailand’s own highland and minority communities, where access to traditional cultural practices and social networks has been linked to improved psychological outcomes (PubMed).
Thai psychologists and educators echo the importance of culture and caregiving, pointing to trauma-informed parenting and early-intervention therapies as critical tools for disrupting cycles of distress. Practical supports—such as stable daily routines, strong teacher-student relationships, and family-based interventions—can help create a secure emotional environment, reducing harmful stress hormones and buffering against long-term health risks (World Health Organization). Indeed, the concept that “culture is biology” underscores many successful Thai programs, especially those that blend modern psychological approaches with traditional practices.
Looking at Thailand’s own history, collective memory plays a formative role in shaping community responses to hardship. For example, the long shadow cast by historical unrest in the South, political violence in the capital, or mass displacement due to flood and drought continues to influence patterns of resilience and vulnerability today. Programs designed by Thai social workers often place heavy emphasis on storytelling, rituals, and shared meals as means of reinforcing community bonds and healing past wounds. Researchers note that these interventions not only promote psychological safety, but also have measurable effects on physical health by tuning down chronic stress responses (theconversation.com).
The emerging scientific consensus, then, provides a message of empowerment: rather than being doomed by the suffering of our ancestors, we all have the capacity to interrupt the cycle of trauma. The human mind and body, far from being static records of past pain, are constantly in conversation with the environment—evolving in ways that can soften, or even erase, negative legacies when positive changes are made.
Looking forward, experts recommend several practical steps for Thais hoping to break the chain of inherited trauma. For families, fostering open communication and creating safe spaces for children to express feelings is essential. For teachers and community leaders, integrating trauma-informed practices and promoting cultural pride can help build protective networks. And at a societal level, reducing inequality, promoting social justice, and supporting community healing projects remain central to long-term national wellbeing.
“Biology gives us the gift of flexibility,” observes a leading Thai psychiatric researcher. “It is our responsibility to create environments that nourish resilience, not despair.” As Thailand grapples with present-day social challenges, the message from science is clear: our future is not written in our DNA, but in how we choose to care for each other—today and across generations.
For readers seeking more information or personal support, mental health services are available nationwide, and organizations such as the Department of Mental Health regularly provide trauma-informed resources for schools and families. Embracing both scientific progress and Thai cultural wisdom may be the most powerful intervention of all.
Sources cited: The Conversation, World Health Organization, PubMed.