This measure would encourage awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have impact on outcomes of certain citizens of California.

This measure would encourage awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have impact on outcomes of certain citizens of California.

This measure would encourage awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have impact on outcomes of certain citizens of California.

This measure would encourage awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have impact on outcomes of certain citizens of California.

WHEREAS, Researchers have identified that our genes carry evidence of extreme trauma experienced by our ancestors; and

WHEREAS, New scientific research suggests that the negative effects of trauma can be inherited and parents may actually transfer the consequences of experiencing intense psychological trauma to their children via an epigenetic process; and

WHEREAS, Our genes are covered with a layer that holds the memory of trauma experienced by our ancestors and can influence how we react to trauma and stress; and

WHEREAS, The impact of traumatic experiences may be epigenetically inherited via molecular memory that is passed down through generations; and

WHEREAS, This emerging scientific field of epigenetics is discovering that trauma is being passed down to future generations through more than simply learned behaviors; and

WHEREAS, A study examining the DNA of Holocaust survivors and their children found similar variations from the norm in both generations for the gene associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings imply children of individuals who experience profound stress in life may be more likely to develop stress or anxiety disorders themselves; and

WHEREAS, The pattern, known as epigenetic change because it affects the chemical marker for the gene rather than the gene itself, suggests that profound stress in the older generation translated into an adaptation that passed on to the next generation; and

WHEREAS, Scientists have long known that parents pass genetic traits down to their children, but recent research suggests that life experiences can also produce chemical effects in DNA; and

WHEREAS, Similar research has been done into the effects of famine on later generations, as well as stress levels in the children of women who survived the September 11, 2001, attacks; and

WHEREAS, Native Americans, whose ancestors are survivors of a holocaust and were shipped off to boarding schools, where they were raised in a harsh environment with no compassion, no empathy, and no love, or African Americans, whose ancestors survived the brutality of slavery, or Chinese people whose grandparents lived through the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, all carry with them more than just memories. Their DNA holds the traumatic history of their ancestors; and

WHEREAS, The new insights of behavioral epigenetics, traumatic experiences in our past, or in our recent ancestors past, leave molecular scars adhering to our DNA; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have an impact on the outcomes of certain citizens of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Researchers have identified that our genes carry evidence of extreme trauma experienced by our ancestors; and

WHEREAS, New scientific research suggests that the negative effects of trauma can be inherited and parents may actually transfer the consequences of experiencing intense psychological trauma to their children via an epigenetic process; and

WHEREAS, Our genes are covered with a layer that holds the memory of trauma experienced by our ancestors and can influence how we react to trauma and stress; and

WHEREAS, The impact of traumatic experiences may be epigenetically inherited via molecular memory that is passed down through generations; and

WHEREAS, This emerging scientific field of epigenetics is discovering that trauma is being passed down to future generations through more than simply learned behaviors; and

WHEREAS, A study examining the DNA of Holocaust survivors and their children found similar variations from the norm in both generations for the gene associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings imply children of individuals who experience profound stress in life may be more likely to develop stress or anxiety disorders themselves; and

WHEREAS, The pattern, known as epigenetic change because it affects the chemical marker for the gene rather than the gene itself, suggests that profound stress in the older generation translated into an adaptation that passed on to the next generation; and

WHEREAS, Scientists have long known that parents pass genetic traits down to their children, but recent research suggests that life experiences can also produce chemical effects in DNA; and

WHEREAS, Similar research has been done into the effects of famine on later generations, as well as stress levels in the children of women who survived the September 11, 2001, attacks; and

WHEREAS, Native Americans, whose ancestors are survivors of a holocaust and were shipped off to boarding schools, where they were raised in a harsh environment with no compassion, no empathy, and no love, or African Americans, whose ancestors survived the brutality of slavery, or Chinese people whose grandparents lived through the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, all carry with them more than just memories. Their DNA holds the traumatic history of their ancestors; and

WHEREAS, The new insights of behavioral epigenetics, traumatic experiences in our past, or in our recent ancestors past, leave molecular scars adhering to our DNA; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have an impact on the outcomes of certain citizens of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Researchers have identified that our genes carry memories of trauma evidence of extreme trauma experienced by our ancestors, which is known as epigenetics; ancestors; and

WHEREAS, New scientific research suggests that the negative effects of trauma can be inherited and parents may actually transfer the consequences of experiencing intense psychological trauma to their children via an epigenetic process; and

WHEREAS, Our genes are covered with a layer that holds the memory of trauma experienced by our ancestors and can influence how we react to trauma and stress; and

WHEREAS, The impact of traumatic experiences may be epigenetically inherited via molecular memory that is passed down through generations; and

WHEREAS, This emerging scientific field of epigenetics is discovering that trauma is being passed down to future generations through more than simply learned behaviors; and

WHEREAS, A study examining the DNA of Holocaust survivors and their children found similar variations from the norm in both generations for the gene associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings imply children of individuals who experience profound stress in life may be more likely to develop stress or anxiety disorders themselves; and

WHEREAS, The pattern, known as epigenetic change because it affects the chemical marker for the gene rather than the gene itself, suggests that profound stress in the older generation translated into an adaptation that passed on to the next generation; and

WHEREAS, Scientists have long known that parents pass genetic traits down to their children, but recent research suggests that life experiences can also produce chemical effects in DNA; and

WHEREAS, Similar research has been done into the effects of famine on later generations, as well as stress levels in the children of women who survived the September 11, 2001, attacks; and

WHEREAS, Native Americans, whose ancestors are survivors of a holocaust and were shipped off to boarding schools, where they were raised in a harsh environment with no compassion, no empathy, and no love, or African Americans, whose ancestors survived the brutality of slavery, or Chinese people whose grandparents lived through the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, all carry with them more than just memories. Their DNA holds the traumatic history of their ancestors; and

WHEREAS, The new insights of behavioral epigenetics, traumatic experiences in our past, or in our recent ancestors past, leave molecular scars adhering to our DNA; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have an impact on the outcomes of certain citizens of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Researchers have identified that our genes carry memories of trauma experienced by our ancestors, which is known as epigenetics; and

WHEREAS, New scientific research suggests that the negative effects of trauma can be inherited and parents may actually transfer the consequences of experiencing intense psychological trauma to their children via an epigenetic process; and

WHEREAS, Our genes are covered with a layer that holds the memory of trauma experienced by our ancestors and can influence how we react to trauma and stress; and

WHEREAS, The impact of traumatic experiences may be epigenetically inherited via molecular memory that is passed down through generations; and

WHEREAS, This emerging scientific field of epigenetics is discovering that trauma is being passed down to future generations through more than simply learned behaviors; and

WHEREAS, A study examining the DNA of Holocaust survivors and their children found similar variations from the norm in both generations for the gene associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings imply children of individuals who experience profound stress in life may be more likely to develop stress or anxiety disorders themselves; and

WHEREAS, The pattern, known as epigenetic change because it affects the chemical marker for the gene rather than the gene itself, suggests that profound stress in the older generation translated into an adaptation that passed on to the next generation; and

WHEREAS, Scientists have long known that parents pass genetic traits down to their children, but recent research suggests that life experiences can also produce chemical effects in DNA; and

WHEREAS, Similar research has been done into the effects of famine on later generations, as well as stress levels in the children of women who survived the September 11, 2001, attacks; and

WHEREAS, Native Americans, whose ancestors are survivors of a holocaust and were shipped off to boarding schools, where they were raised in a harsh environment with no compassion, no empathy, and no love, or African Americans, whose ancestors survived the brutality of slavery, or Chinese people whose grandparents lived through the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, all carry with them more than just memories. Their DNA holds the traumatic history of their ancestors; and

WHEREAS, The new insights of behavioral epigenetics, traumatic experiences in our past, or in our recent ancestors past, leave molecular scars adhering to our DNA; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have an impact on the outcomes of certain citizens of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 177

Author: Jones-Sawyer (D)

Amended: 4/26/18 in Assembly

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 71-0, 5/3/18 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Intergenerational trauma: epigenetics

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution encourages awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have impact on outcomes of certain citizens of California.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Researchers have identified that our genes carry evidence of extreme trauma experienced by our ancestors.
2. New scientific research suggests that the negative effects of trauma can be inherited and parents may actually transfer the consequences of experiencing intense psychological trauma to their children via an epigenetic process.
3. The impact of traumatic experiences may be epigenetically inherited via molecular memory that is passed down through generations.
4. The emerging scientific field of epigenetics is discovering that trauma is being passed down to future generations through more than simply learned behaviors.
5. The pattern, known as epigenetic change because it affects the chemical marker for the gene rather than the gene itself, suggests that profound stress in the older generation translated into an adaptation that passed on to the next generation.
6. Scientists have long known that parents pass genetic traits down to their children, but recent research suggests that life experiences can also produce chemical effects in DNA.
7. The new insights of behavioral epigenetics, traumatic experiences in our past, or in our recent ancestors’ past, leave molecular scars adhering to our DNA.

This resolution encourages awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic study, may have an impact on the outcomes of certain citizens of California.

Comments

According to the author, “The Legislature and the medical community have begun to focus on adverse childhood experiences and trauma informed care, but more awareness is needed about intergenerational trauma.  Creating more awareness of epigenetics is necessary so that communities can understand how external factors have effected whole generations.  By bringing epigenetics to the forefront we can also make it a new focus of research so that we can craft smarter policies to help communities of color heal.

“For decades Californians have seen communities of color suffer and lag behind other communities.  African American, Latino, API Americans, and Native Americans have lower levels of educational attainment, have been trapped in a cycle of poverty, have lower life expectancy rates, and have higher incidences of health complications.  Although there has been a lot of focus on issues of intergenerational income mobility, we have paid less attention to how trauma and mental health disorders are passed down, and the effects that such disorders can have on outcomes.”

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 8 (Jones-Sawyer, Chapter 139, Statutes of 2017) recognized adverse childhood experiences, also known as post-traumatic “street” disorder in communities of color, as a mental health condition with growing implications for our state.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/14/18)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/14/18)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 71-0, 5/3/18

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kamlager-Dove, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Travis Allen, Caballero, Choi, Cristina Garcia, Grayson, Quirk-Silva, Voepel

Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520

5/16/18 15:11:35

**** END ****

Date of Hearing: April 24, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Jim Wood, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 177

Author:(Jones-Sawyer) – As Introduced Ver:February 16, 2018

SUBJECT: Intergenerational trauma: epigenetics.

SUMMARY: Encourages awareness that intergenerational trauma, which has been identified through epigenetic studies, may have an impact on future generations’ of Californians. Makes legislative findings and declarations related to intergenerational trauma and epigenetics, including:

1. Researchers have identified that our genes carry memories of trauma experiences by our ancestors, which is known as epigenetics.
2. New scientific research suggests that the negative effects of trauma can be inherited and parents may actually transfer the consequences of experiencing intense psychological trauma to their children via an epigenetic process.
3. Our genes are covered with a layer that holds the memory of trauma experienced by our ancestors and can influence how we react to trauma and stress.
4. The impact of traumatic experiences may be epigenetically inherited via molecular memory that is passed down through generations.
5. This emerging scientific field of epigenetics is discovering that trauma is being passed down to future generations through more than simply learned behaviors.
6. A study examining the DNA of Holocaust survivors and their children found similar variations from the norm in both generations for the gene associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings imply children of individuals who experience profound stress in life may be more likely to develop stress or anxiety disorders themselves.
7. The pattern, known as epigenetic change because it affects the chemical marker for the gene rather than the gene itself, suggests that profound stress in the older generation translated into an adaptation that passed on to the next generation.
8. Scientists have long known that parents pass genetic traits down to their children, but recent research suggests that life experiences can also produce chemical effects in DNA.
9. Similar research has been done into the effects of famine on later generations, as well as stress levels in the children of women who survived the September 11, 2001, attacks.
10. Native Americans, whose ancestors are survivors of a holocaust and were shipped off to boarding schools, where they were raised in a harsh environment with no compassion, no empathy, and no love, or African Americans, whose ancestors survived the brutality of slavery, or Chinese people whose grandparents lived through the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, all carry with them more than just memories. Their DNA holds the traumatic history of their ancestors.
11. The new insights of behavioral epigenetics, traumatic experiences in our past, or in our recent ancestors’ past, leave molecular scars adhering to our DNA.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS:

1. PURPOSE OF THIS BILL. According to the author, the Legislature and the medical community have begun to focus on adverse childhood experiences and trauma informed care, but more awareness is needed about intergenerational trauma. The author notes, creating more awareness of epigenetics is necessary so that communities can understand how external factors have affected whole generations. By bringing epigenetics to the forefront we can also make it a new focus of research so that we can craft smarter policies to help communities of color heal. The author states, for decades Californians have seen communities of color suffer and lag behind other communities. According to the author, African Americans, Latinos, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and Native Americans have lower levels of educational attainment, have been trapped in a cycle of poverty, have lower life expectancy rates, and have higher incidences of health complications. The author concludes, although there has been a lot of focus on issues of intergenerational income mobility, we have paid less attention to how trauma and mental health disorders are passed down, and the effects that such disorders can have on outcomes.
2. BACKGROUND. Epigenetic changes refer to modifications of components that regulate genes. Environmental factors, such as extrema trauma or stress can negatively impact future generations through epigenetic inheritance. A study that is often used to illustrate epigenetic inheritance is the examination of Holocaust survivor’s offspring. Studies show the later generations of the Holocaust survivors exhibit higher anxiety levels, increased risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and other health complications. Similarly, studies showed pregnant women who developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the 9/11 attack gave birth to infants with lower birth weights. In both cases of the Holocaust survivors and pregnant mothers with PTSD, their offspring had markedly different stress hormone profiles resulting in higher chances of anxiety disorders. Intergenerational epigenetic trauma is a relatively new area of study and it is still unclear at what level of stress an individual must endure in order for epigenetic changes to be passed onto the next generation.
3. PREVIOUS LEGISLATION.
   1. ACR 8 (Jones-Sawyer), Chapter 139, of 2017, recognized adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), also known as post-traumatic “street” disorder in communities of color, as a mental health condition with growing implications for our state.
   2. ACR 155 (Bocanegra), Chapter 144, of 2014, urged the Governor to identify evidence-based solutions to reduce children’s exposure to ACEs, address the impacts of those experiences, and invest in preventive health care and mental health and wellness interventions.
4. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. There is a grammatical error that needs to be corrected and as written, clarifying language is necessary to define the issue of trauma as follows:

WHEREAS, Researchers have identified that our genes carry evidence of extreme trauma memories of trauma experienced by our ancestors, which is known as epigenetics; and

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Monica Montano / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097