Princeton University researchers have discovered that learned behaviors can be inherited for multiple generations in C. elegans, transmitted from parent to progeny via eggs and sperm cells. Rebecca Moore, Rachel Kaletsky and Coleen Murphy found that C. elegans are initially attracted to pathogenic P. aeruginosa, but upon eating the bacterium and becoming ill, they learn to avoid it. C. elegans mothers pass down this aversive behavior to their progeny for four generations.

Source: Danger avoidance can be genetically encoded for four generations, say Princeton biologists

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