Your Parents’ Genes Shape You—Even the Ones You Didn’t Inherit
Turns out, DNA doesn’t have to be passed down to leave a mark. In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at University College London have found that even the genes you didn’t inherit from your parents can significantly shape your development.
How? Through the environment your parents’ genes help create.
This fascinating concept, called “genetic nurture,” flips traditional genetics on its head. The study shows that non-inherited parental genes—those that didn’t make it into a child’s DNA—still impact outcomes like academic achievement, behavioral traits, and mental health. These genes may influence how parents interact with their children, what values they emphasize, how much support they offer, or even the structure of the household itself.
In other words, your parents’ DNA can sculpt the world you grow up in, even if it doesn’t show up in your genetic code.
The team analyzed genetic data from over 40,000 parent-child pairs, drawing links between parental genomes and children’s life outcomes—regardless of inheritance. The effect was especially pronounced in areas like educational attainment and emotional development, where environmental influence is known to play a key role.
This research reshapes the nature vs. nurture debate, showing that the two are more intertwined than ever imagined. It's not just about the genes you carry—it’s about the genes shaping the world around you.
The study also hints at broader implications: from education policy to mental health interventions, understanding genetic nurture could help us design more effective support systems for families and children.
Bottom line? Even the genes you didn't get might still be quietly steering your future.