From Colonial Trauma to Biological Memory: A Critical Review of Intergenerational Epigenetic Mechanisms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55578/c8b7at97Keywords:
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, psychological trauma, stress -regulation pathways, neuroplasticityAbstract
Colonialism has historically been examined through economic, political, and cultural frameworks; however, emerging evidence from epigenetics suggests that trauma may leave enduring biological imprints across generations. This review integrates interdisciplinary literature from molecular biology, neuroscience, and postcolonial theory to examine how prolonged exposure to famine, systemic violence, and racialized oppression under British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent may have contributed to epigenetic modifications with intergenerational consequences. A systematic review guided by PRISMA methodology was conducted using major scientific databases. Evidence from trauma-exposed populations and famine cohorts suggests that environmental stress can induce heritable changes in DNA methylation, histone modification, and gene regulation, particularly in pathways associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Although direct empirical evidence from colonial India remains limited, comparative findings support a conceptual framework in which imperialism may have biologically embedded long-term health disparities. The review emphasizes methodological limitations and ethical considerations, advocating for cautious interpretation within an interdisciplinary framework.
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