Rwanda Genocide Causes DNA Changes for Women and Babies

Scientists from the University of South Florida, along with their Rwandan colleagues, have concluded that the Rwandan genocide of pregnant women led to genetic changes in the DNA and DNA of their children.
An article on this was published in an article in the journal Epigenomics.
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In 1994, Rwandan Tutsi faced genocide at the hands of the Hutus. About 800,000 Tutsis were killed (in total, up to 1.1 million people were killed, about 20% of the country’s population), large-scale rapes also took place, infrastructure was destroyed, with dire economic consequences.

The researchers examined 59 genomes of Tutsi women and their children. Some women during pregnancy experienced manifestations of genocide – they were raped, witnessed harsh reprisals, were attacked, escaped from captivity.

It turns out that the genocide they experienced affected the DNA of both the women and their offspring. Several epigenetic changes occurred in genes that were previously associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD and depression.

The work’s authors note that “the epigenetic changes in DNA that help control gene function are stable but reversible.” They can occur in a shorter time than is necessary to alter the primary DNA sequence. Our study showed that exposure to prenatal genocide was genotyped, indicating decreased gene function in the offspring.”

While this study focuses specifically on the impact of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, it confirms the findings of previous studies showing that events experienced by women during pregnancy have an effect on the fetus. These findings support the need for greater efforts to nurture the emotional and psychological well-being of pregnant women.

Scientists say that those who were in the womb during the genocide now have children. They hope to find out if the trauma they have experienced has an epigenetic effect on the third generation. Also, researchers will discover how epigenetic changes can affect the risk of developing certain mental disorders.