The New Scientist reports that recent studies on mice suggest "vitamins and supplements that mothers-to-be take to protect their kids from birth defects could predispose children and even grandchildren to asthma" – a phenomenon that could explain the mysterious rise in the rates of asthmatic children in more developed countries.
While these findings may seem alarming, the article points out that although “mice who ate the supplement-rich diet delivered pups with some signs of asthma,” other genetic factors may be at play and more research needs to be conducted on expectant mothers themselves.
Most telling of all, however, is the mention of a retroactive study that shows grandmothers who smoke may not only be endangering their own health and the health of their children, but also may be affecting the future health of their grandchildren through the long-term genetic effects of tobacco smoke – their grandchildren are more likely to be asthmatic.
