The revolutionary science of epigenetics reveals how structural racism writes itself into our biology across generations
Imagine two libraries with identical books. In one, certain volumes are permanently locked away, while in the other, those same books remain accessible. The collections are the same, but what can be read differs dramatically.
This is the essence of epigenetics—the molecular process that determines which genes are "locked" or "unlocked" in different circumstances without changing the DNA sequence itself.
Epigenetic modifications act as molecular switches that turn genes on or off based on environmental influences.
Traumatic experiences can leave molecular marks that may be passed to subsequent generations.
Epigenetics represents a fundamental shift in our understanding of biology. It comprises the molecular modifications that regulate gene activity without altering the underlying DNA sequence, acting as a dynamic interface between our genetic blueprint and our environment 1 .
The addition of methyl groups to DNA, which typically silences genes
Chemical changes to the proteins around which DNA winds
RNA molecules that regulate gene expression
Changes during an individual's lifespan due to direct environmental experiences
Changes occurring in the womb due to gestational events
Changes affecting predecessors transmitted across generations
The term "embodiment" describes the process by which our lived experiences—including social and environmental exposures—become biologically embedded. Epigenetic mechanisms serve as a primary pathway for this process, with recent research demonstrating how structural racism in particular leaves distinct molecular signatures 2 .
Being born in a Jim Crow state was associated with epigenetic age acceleration among Black participants, showing how historical injustices become molecularly embedded.
| Social Exposure | Study Population | Epigenetic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Crow Birth State | Black non-Hispanic adults | 0.14 SD acceleration in pooled epigenetic clocks |
| Low Parental Education | Black & White non-Hispanic adults | 0.24-0.27 SD acceleration |
| Adult Impoverishment | Multi-ethnic adults | 0.05-0.07 SD acceleration in second-generation clocks |
Source: Adapted from 2
To understand how epigenetic research on structural racism is conducted, let's examine a key study in more detail. Published in JAMA Network Open in 2024, this research investigated whether epigenetic age acceleration is associated with various measures of racialized, economic, and environmental injustice 2 .
Analysis of data from two US studies: the My Body My Story (MBMS) study and the Multi-Ethnic Atherosclerosis Study (MESA), comprising 1,268 participants 2 .
Using blood spots (MBMS) and purified monocytes (MESA) to assess epigenetic markers 2 .
Applying ten different epigenetic clocks (six first-generation, four second-generation) to estimate biological age 2 .
Connecting participants' birth states to Jim Crow laws and other structural measures 2 .
For Black non-Hispanic participants born in Jim Crow states, epigenetic age showed significant acceleration across multiple epigenetic clocks 2 .
The effects remained detectable even after accounting for individual-level socioeconomic factors 2 .
| Participant Group | Key Exposure | Significant Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Black non-Hispanic (MBMS) | Jim Crow birth state | 0.14 SD acceleration (95% CI, 0.003-0.27) |
| Black non-Hispanic (MBMS) | Low parental education | 0.24 SD acceleration (95% CI, 0.08-0.39) |
| White non-Hispanic (MBMS) | Low parental education | 0.27 SD acceleration (95% CI, 0.03-0.51) |
| Multi-ethnic (MESA) | Adult impoverishment | 0.05-0.07 SD acceleration across groups |
Source: Adapted from 2
How exactly do social experiences like racism translate into epigenetic changes? Research points to several biological pathways:
Chronic exposure to discrimination and structural inequity creates sustained psychological and physiological stress, leading to dysregulation of biological systems 1 . This includes:
That can alter gene expression patterns
That become persistently activated
That accumulate over time
Oxidative stress represents a crucial biological pathway linking social adversity to epigenetic changes. When psychological stressors trigger prolonged physiological stress responses, they can increase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that overwhelm the body's antioxidant defenses 4 .
| Oxidative Stress Marker | Finding in MDS Patients | Epigenetic Correlation |
|---|---|---|
| Peroxide levels | Significantly elevated | Positive correlation with 5-mC levels |
| Reduced glutathione | Lower than controls | Negative correlation with gene methylation |
| Peroxide/TAS ratio | Higher in patients | Associated with worse overall survival |
| 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine | Elevated (DNA damage marker) | Connected to global methylation changes |
Source: Adapted from 4
Advances in technology have been crucial to understanding the epigenetics of structural racism. Key methods include:
| Reagent/Tool | Function | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium bisulfite | Converts unmethylated cytosine to uracil | Distinguishing methylated from unmethylated sites 6 |
| Methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes | Cut DNA at specific unmethylated sequences | Detecting methylation status at particular loci 6 |
| 5-methylcytosine antibodies | Immunoprecipitate methylated DNA | Genome-wide methylation profiling 6 |
| Histone modification antibodies | Target specific histone modifications | ChIP-seq for mapping histone marks 3 |
| TET enzymes | Catalyze DNA demethylation | Studying active demethylation processes 7 |
| Epigenetic clocks | Algorithmic predictors of biological age | Assessing epigenetic age acceleration 2 |
As epigenetic research on structural racism advances, it raises crucial ethical considerations that require careful navigation:
Historical injustices and current biases
And understanding throughout the research process
Focusing on resilience alongside risk
Before, during, and beyond specific studies
The science of epigenetics fundamentally transforms our understanding of inheritance, revealing how our bodies record and transmit experiences of social injustice across generations.
The evidence is clear: racist environments leave molecular footprints that can affect health and development long after the initial exposures.
This knowledge carries both profound responsibility and transformative potential. As research progresses, it challenges us to reconsider concepts of heredity, responsibility, and intervention.
If social environments can rewrite our biological scripts across generations, then creating more just societies becomes not merely a political ideal but a public health imperative.
The work of writers like Bessie Head, who explored the intergenerational transmission of trauma and resilience, finds unexpected validation in modern epigenetics. Both reveal that the past is never truly past—it lives on in our stories, our relationships, and remarkably, in the molecular regulators of our genes.
As we move forward, the integration of scientific evidence, ethical reflection, and community engagement will be essential to ensure this knowledge promotes healing, justice, and a more comprehensive understanding of what it means to inherit both our biology and our history.