Beyond the genome: intergenerational inheritance through epigenetics and other pathways.

The American Association of Anthropological Genetics (AAAG) paired with the American Association of Biological Anthropology (AABA) to put on a symposium at the 94th Annual AAABA meeting entitled, "Beyond the genome: Intergenerational inheritance through epigenetics and other pathways." The symposium was held at the Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland, on 14 March 2025, and was organized by Dr. Amy Non. The symposium's 13 speakers covered topics including the value of unique study designs and rare ecological settings, contributions of animal models, mechanisms beyond traditional epigenetics, such as microchimerism, microbiomes, and bioactive molecules in milk. Speakers also addressed ethical considerations of studies of intergenerational inheritance, including misconceptions and overhype. The discussed approaches help address ongoing challenges in the field of epigenetics, including how to demonstrate lasting effects across generations, identify causal associations with early life exposures, and ensure accurate interpretation of findings.