Environmental Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance and Generational Toxicology

Environmental chemicals and toxicants can promote phenotypic variation or disease not only in the individual exposed but also in individuals for multiple subsequent generations. This phenomenon is termed epigenetic transgenerational inheritance and generational toxicology. Most environmental factors and toxicants do not promote genetic mutations that alter the DNA sequence, but they can alter epigenetics and the epigenome. Epigenetic changes in the germline allow for epigenetic transgenerational inheritance and generational toxicology as a result of the previous generations' exposures. The toxicology and pharmacology of environmental chemicals and epigenetic transgenerational inheritance are discussed in the context of generational toxicology.