Diet at conception can affect baby's DNA

RESEARCHERS say a baby's DNA can be affected by what their mother eats before pregnancy and one gene is especially sensitive to these changes.

A MOTHER'S diet around the time of conception could permanently change the function of a gene that influences immunity and cancer risk in her child, scientists have discovered.

PREVIOUS studies by the same researchers showed that a child's DNA can be affected by what their mother eats before pregnancy, but they have now hit upon a gene called VTRNA2-1 as being particularly sensitive to these changes.