While it is possible, it is unlikely that the relatively short Cuban Missile Crisis would have a significant impact on your 9 month gestation via epigenetics. Hormones or some sort of blood supply crisis might have an impact but DNA methylation is a bit of an extreme response for temporary anxiety. Post-war famine is not the same as 'eating Ramen for a few days'.
Of course, I am NOT an epigeneticist so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Maybe it does make a difference, but the more relevant question I'd have would be is your mother anxious in general? Did she ever return to normal or did her anxiety become pathological? As much as nature plays a role, I'd think nurture would be more influential during the Cold War Era as opposed to WWII, where there were food shortages, rations, threats of/actual invasion and deadly flu pandemics.
It is so great to have a PhD on my friends list! I agree with you and am not sure about the study itself. My mom is a worrier, but I've had her beat from a young age.
I think the author has twisted the study to fit his theory, which is pretty common. Other WWII countries had higher "worry" indexes, like France. While France was occupied, it didn't see the devastation that Germany did at the end of WWII or famine in the years after. The Netherlands, with their carefree 66, was occupied and bombed by Germany, then forced to labor in German factories that were bombed by the allies.
Also, German angst has decreased 7 points in the last poll period, and the US has gained 3. We'll meet in the middle at some point :-)
And if you're not worried about security, financial markets, personal safety, etc. you're just plain nuts. Pot is legal in Amsterdam, so maybe that explains it :-]
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Of course, I am NOT an epigeneticist so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Maybe it does make a difference, but the more relevant question I'd have would be is your mother anxious in general? Did she ever return to normal or did her anxiety become pathological? As much as nature plays a role, I'd think nurture would be more influential during the Cold War Era as opposed to WWII, where there were food shortages, rations, threats of/actual invasion and deadly flu pandemics.
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I think the author has twisted the study to fit his theory, which is pretty common. Other WWII countries had higher "worry" indexes, like France. While France was occupied, it didn't see the devastation that Germany did at the end of WWII or famine in the years after. The Netherlands, with their carefree 66, was occupied and bombed by Germany, then forced to labor in German factories that were bombed by the allies.
Also, German angst has decreased 7 points in the last poll period, and the US has gained 3. We'll meet in the middle at some point :-)
And if you're not worried about security, financial markets, personal safety, etc. you're just plain nuts. Pot is legal in Amsterdam, so maybe that explains it :-]
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