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Environmental factors can cause biological changes to the brain. 

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Environmental factors can cause biological changes to the brain. 

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K. Beasley

I believe that both genes and environment have an impact on trauma, however, I do believe that environment has the greater impact.  The environmental factors that children and adults face can make it difficult to overcome adversity.  Throughout the  years, working with students who have had such negative experiences in their early life, have had difficulty moving past those experiences.  Children have an incredible ability to adapt and to overcome, but only if they have the necessary resources to do so.  Also, if there are underlying mental health issues that have not been properly identified or addressed, this can make the situation worse.  All of these factors can cause behavior problems, withdrawal, and overall have a significant impact on their ability to learn.

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I believe that both genes and environment have an impact. However, it is my opinion that environment has the greater impact. Mental illness can sometimes be genetic. This would make a person more susceptible to mental illnesses. Often times genetics increase the chances of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer along with other diseases. The environment holds greater weight when it comes to a child's wellbeing overall. A healthy diet and exercise can help to overcome genetics. I have seen in my classroom the impact that trauma can make on a student's life. When a child is in constant fear of where to go after school or what they will have to eat, it takes a huge toll on their mental health. The constant worry and anxiety creates trauma. This causes behavior problems, withdrawal, and a significant impact on learning.

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J.Knight
Through my experience teaching/coaching I have noticed that environment and experiences impact the student development just as much if not more than genes. I have taught siblings from broken homes and the children's social, mental, psychological well beings were completely different. My preconceived idea about this was that children were smart if their parents were. This however is contrary, because depending on their experiences changes how they develop.

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Both genes and the environment have a significant impact on a child's mental health and well being. Trauma can be caused due to a mental health issue that is genetic, or a genetic addiction. Both of these can cause trauma due the actions of having an addiction or mental illness. The environment the child lives in and experiences is crucial when it comes to trauma. This is the every day life that impacts the child and where the child will experience any trauma. The forms of trauma that have been shown to affect a child are physical, emotional, or neglect. These all take place in the environment. There is no way to put a scale on judge which affects a person more as it depends on the person and their personal experience. 

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Both genes and the environment have a significant impact on a child's mental health and well being. Trauma can be caused due to a mental health issue that is genetic, or a genetic addiction. Both of these can cause trauma due the actions of having an addiction or mental illness. The environment the child lives in and experiences is crucial when it comes to trauma. This is the every day life that impacts the child and where the child will experience any trauma. The forms of trauma that have been shown to affect a child are physical, emotional, or neglect. These all take place in the environment. There is no way to put a scale on judge which affects a person more as it depends on the person and their personal experience. 

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After watching the video, I believe that environmental factors affect brain development and mental health more than genes.

Kerrie Seger

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Genetics and environment each have a role in how we develop. We cannot have one without the other. I feel that our environment and those around us have a huge impact on how we grow. We must understand and accept that our students are each created individually, but also accept their trama. It does not matter if that trama is coming from home or outside of it. By building relationships with our students individually we are capable of helping our students grow as a student and as a person.
I have a student that suffers from social anxiety. A large part of her anxiety came from her Covid-19 quarantining. Her parents chose to keep her virtual for the past year, and this was her first year in person. Her mother asked me to work with her throughout the year. She was afraid of Covid-19, others' judgment, and her own insecurities. She enrolled in my speech and debate class and did amazing. She was open with me about seeking help to overcome her fears. With her mother's help and my assistance, she was able to overcome a lot of her fears and grow as a person.

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This was very eye opening to me. I had no idea that our DNA/cells could do that. You always hear the term nature vs nurture and I know that nature has played a huge role in what my kids have become, but learning this and knowing how we raised them at a young age, makes me feel pretty good about the nurture part as well. My opinion on this subject has not really changed all that much as I was pretty sure both genes and environment play a fairly even role in what we become as adults. You can have the best genes and the worst upbringing and end up with serious issues or vice versa.

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Brianna McCraw

Yes, genetics can play a role in trauma. Things like mental illness can be genetic and people can be more susceptible to things like depression and anxiety. However, the environment in which a child lives and grows up in plays a major impact in how that child will emotionally and physically develop. We as humans will at some point experience a stressful situation in our lives but it's the amount and severity in those younger years that impacts children. Those children who grow up in abusive households, poverty, and neglect on a constant basis have shown that they struggle when they get older in school and in life in general

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B. Townsend
We all have trauma if we live long enough.
Our genes help determine how resilient we are when dealing with trauma.  Some individuals can withstand more trauma than
others. Even the most resilient person can be overcome with trauma eventually. Children experience so many everyday types of trauma from worrying if anyone will be home when they get off the bus, hunger, worry about grades, physical/verbal abuse experienced personally or witnessed in the family, a broken home, poverty, etc. In a training that I did, we would add a rock in a backpack for each trauma a child might be experiencing on a daily basis. As we went one by one, the bag became unbearably heavy until we couldn't pick it up. While it might take only one trauma for some to cause a change in brain chemistry, even the most genetically resilient child can experience behavioral changes over time. Hopefully with positive intervention through school and community resources, the child has a chance to overcome ACE's.

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Based off my experiences in working with children who have experienced trauma, I believe the current environment plays the most important part in a child's development. I do agree that genes play a part in setting the framework for the child's growth, but those genetic markers can be improved with interventions to overcome some of these genetic issues. For example, a grandmother, mother, and child may all present with anxiety that stems from two generations in the past having domestic violence. The child has the genetic predisposition for anxiety, but the child's environment is different from that of the past generations. It is loving and stable and provides them with interventions to overcome the anxiety that has plagued the generations before this child. I have seen children who come from fantastic environments be thrust into many ACEs categories quickly due to traumatic events and their environments may change in some ways, but the children hold on to the resiliency and positive environment they once had through the traumatic events, and it helps them pull through. I have also seen children who come from neglectful and abusive environments receive healing emotionally and behaviorally after they are offered support at school, in therapies, or may be removed and placed in a loving, supportive environment.

Constance Belew

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First hand, I have experienced Trauma early in my life when my Mom died of Cancer when I was almost 4.
Genes brought me a lot of family disease dispositions, including Scoliosis, severe abnormal curvature of the spine and Cancer. My environment has brought both trauma and enrichment, through family faith in God and loving relationships.  I have overcome adversities through my faith in Jesus and those who have loved me.

As a teacher, I have seen more traumatized children this past school year, than in the past. Covid has affected their early childhood experiences. The children have been gifted with their parent's genes and that has a big role in who each student will become, but, I believe that loving parents, teachers and caregivers can help students to overcome adversities like I have.

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I believe that the environment plays the most important part in a child's development.  The genes may set the foundation for the growth of a child. However, the environment in which the child is exposed to plays a major role in that child's development.  I feel that if you take a twin babies with the same genes and place them in different environments, the twin placed in a positive, enrichment environment will grow more intellectually than the twin was placed in a negative, abusive environment.
Daniel Brightbill

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Genes vs Environment by Mary Bernardini 

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Genes vs Environment by Mary Bernardini 

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I believe they both have some sort of affect. Obviously genes can play a huge role because if a mother or father suffered from trauma and weren’t able to overcome it then the child is likely to follow in their footsteps and maybe even deal with a lot of the same trauma their parents have dealt with. On the other hand, a child’s environment can play a huge role in their trauma also. For example, their economic status, how their physical needs are met, and how their home life is - for instance is their substance abuse going on in the house, are their parents divorced, etc.

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The fact that DNA can actually be altered by ACEs is stunning.  It does make sense though when considering how anxiety and depression can often be repeated in a family.  However, I believe a child's environment plays a more vital role in determining how he/she may deal with day to day issues.  A child raised in a happy and caring home will more likely be able to approach a situation in a more positive manner than a child raised in an uncaring and dysfunctional home.  Perhaps is  has more to do with his/her perspective based on life experiences.

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Genes vs Environment Teresa Clay

Which has the greater effect?  Well, depending on the environmental issues, and the epigenetic stressors, both have detrimental effects on ACE.  Yes primarily, genetic deficiencies and issues can initially cause trauma.  However, environmental issues can exponentially increase the impact of the genetic issues.  Honestly, one can cause the other or even exist simultaneously.   Both problems must be addressed simultaneous  and over long term.  Environmental issues could lead to overlooking genetic issues and vice versa.

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​LaQuinda Kincaid

In my opinion, the environment impacts trauma the most.  In the video it was discussed how varied and positive relationship building could serve as an early intervention for children.  Also, I have a nephew who was actually adopted when my brother and his wife had only one child and thought they could not have anymore.  I just happen to know that the environment he came from was not stable nor healthy for him if he had stayed with his biological mother. I feel that his life has been altered for his better development physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, etc. Although genetics plays a role in brain development, I definitely agree that the environment impacts trauma the most.

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Although genes play a role in ACEs, I believe that a person's environment and their genes impact each other. You become a product of who and what you are surrounded by, which can ultimately play a part in your genetic make up.

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Clare Sisk

I do believe that genes play a role, but feel that environmental elements play a larger role in ACE's. I teach at a behavioral school and most of our students come to us having had multiple traumas in their lives from birth. They also come from families who have a lot of multi-generational trauma.

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Maple Campbell

I believe that they each play an important role because having the genes alone is not enough.  Plus, the environment and experiences that a person has throughout life can have an impact on those genes inherited from parents.  So, if this affects how these genes are expressed then it can be passed on from generation to generation.  In that way, future generations are still impacted by experiences of ancestors.  However, the experiences a person has throughout life would, I think,  have a greater impact on trauma and the brain's development.

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Environmental factors can have a significant impact on mental health. The likelihood you will abuse substances while growing up in a home with exposure to violence is detrimental to mental health. ~ J. Baudean

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A person's environment greatly impacts the developing brain. I feel a toxic environment is much more a factor than genetics in the development of mental, physical, and emotional impairments. We see when a child is removed from these toxic environments and placed into positive, nurturing homes they begin to heal, somewhat, these impairments and thrive.

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Jessica Parker

After watching the video, I believe that our environment has the larger effect of child development than genes. While genes have a very large part, the environment in which a child grows up will either positively or negatively enforce these genes.

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I believe that the environment has the most significant impact on development. While genes play a slight part, the environment is an ever changing variable that can continuously have an impact.

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After watching the video, I believe that the environment is a larger contributing factor to the development of a child versus just their genes alone. Genes are the basic building blocks of who we will become. Genes are like a lego set in that the set comes with instructions for certain bricks and pieces. The builders are the environments in that they can decide exactly what they build using those bricks. Each environment is different and changes the instructions to ultimately change the outcome of build. Only, the environments are constantly changing and this lego set will evolve and adapt.
Bailey Kennedy

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T. Kilgore
I believe that the Environment plays a bigger role in the effects of trauma than genetics.

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I definitely believe the environment has a significant role in the development of children.  A child that is repeatedly exposed to negative experiences such as abuse or neglect is more likely to pass their experiences along to their own children or even their partner or spouse.  Being exposed to trauma at a young age can hinder a child's physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.  I've seen children raised in a negative environment actually run from positive experiences because they don't know how to deal with it.  The negative is all they know and respond to; it's so heartbreaking.
Rachel Doubleday

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The video as well as the powerpoint for module 2 bring incredible awareness to the fact that so many variables are involved in trauma. While I do agree that genetics play a role in mental health and cognitive ability, I personally believe that the child's environment plays the primary role in trauma.

Sarah Leach

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Environment impacts trauma the most. While genes ultimately determine our behavior and our students' behavior, environment often influences our behavior.

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Cheryl Neal

I believe that the environment plays a vital role in the development of a child's brain. Positive experiences such as good nutrition, or learning opportunities enable genetic instructions that result in ideal brain development. On the other hand, negative experiences harm later brain development. Importantly, studies show that extreme stress can derail the wiring of the brain which leads to lifelong problems such as mental/physical health and behavior.

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I believe that the environment plays a vital role in the development of a child's brain. Positive experiences such as good nutrition or learning opportunities enable genetic instructions which result in ideal brain development. On the other hand, negative experiences harm later brain development. Importantly, studies show that extreme stress can derail the wiring of the brain which can lead to lifelong problems such as mental/physical health and behavior.

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I believe the environment plays a more significant role in development than genetics. Genetics are the foundation and the environment is the building blocks. Behavior is learned and can be reshaped. The environment is what one witnesses and reacts to and molds from. Positive and Negative reinforcement is an example of how the environment can impact ones decisions.

KL Pugh

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I feel that the environment that a child grows up in affects 80% of development and genes will be about 20% of development . Most human behaviors must be learned .I don't believe that anyone is genetically predisposed toward any type of behavior , with the exception of instinctive behaviors such as reacting to loud sounds .

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I believe that the environment plays a bigger role than genetics. A child's environment and interaction aids in brain development. Positive interactions like healthy eating as the brain develops leads to a healthier lifestyle. Negative interactions like toxins lead to harmful development.

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I believe that environment is much more important than genetics. It is true that some negative genetic patterns are passed down in families, but a child's environment shapes how those genetics are expressed. If a child with the potential to have issues is raised in a very loving and enriching environment, the genetic issues may not crop up. It's encouraging to read that epigenetic changes can be made if needed, as I'd like to heal from some of my own childhood traumas.

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I believe that genetics and environment play major roles in how students experience/deal with trauma. Since environment is the influence that can be affected, it should be nurturing and positive. This will go a long way into helping students cope correctly. It can also give the students comfort and familiarity. The path of the child could be changed for the positive with the right environment.

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I believe environment plays a huge role in development. In my opinion, having a stable environment with a loving family, positive interactions, and healthy food will impact a child more than the genes they are born with. Shelley M.

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I believe environment plays a huge role in development. In my opinion, having a stable environment with a loving family, positive interactions, and healthy food will impact a child more than the genes they are born with. Shelley M.

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I believe environment has the most impact on brain development. Genes provide a blue print of course, but the experiences a person goes through develop them into the person they will be. Our experiences fill a bucket as we grow and develop and we are able to pull from this bucket as we grow and mature to respond to our environment. DNA is changed with our experiences. That says it all.

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In my opinion, environment has more impact on a person's development and wellbeing.

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I have seen first hand that environment has a direct impact on the development of a child's brain. I also do believe that the genetic makeup also impacts the child's development in a huge way. While providing a child with stable and consistent caregivers is very important, you must also provide the child with enriching and positive interactions and experiences. I truly believe that toxin exposure, poor nutrition, toxic stress and toxic emotional environments can have lasting negative effects on children. These negative effects can manifest themselves in a variety of ways and can show up as markers in adults with depression, anxiety or other emotional issues.

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Laura Grilliette

I am of the opinion that enviornment has a direct impact on the development of a childs brain, but the genetic makeup also significantly impacts the development. I believe this is why the ability to break the cycle of generations of poverty and abuse are so difficult to break. Both enviornment and genetic makeup work hand in hand.

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Based on my experience as an educator, I believe that the environment have more influenced on a child development with trauma.  A positive environment is safe, stable and nurturing.  It is essential to preventing child abuse and neglect.  The positive environment teaches a child how to deal with trauma and issues that arise in their lives. And it assures that all kids reach their full potential.  A negative environment does not teach a child how to deal with trauma.  Therefore, it influences further negative experiences and events in a child's life such as abuse and neglect.  That increases the risks for future problems with a child.

Johnny Young

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I believe that genetics does play a role in the effects of trauma as stated in the video. "The effects of trauma may last for several generations." I also believe that a child's environment also can have a significant effect as well.

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I believe that genetics does play a role in the effects of trauma as stated in the video. "The effects of trauma may last for several generations." I also believe that a child's environment also can have a significant effect as well.

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I feel that both genetics and environment play a major role in the impact of trauma. Being in a traumatic environment would of course expose a child to those types of experiences, but genetics could play a major role in how a child responds to trauma.

Lynette Hart

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While genes pre wire individuals, the environment has a longer lasting impact on a person. Both adverse and positive experiences have the ability to have a cumulative effect on people. An accumulation of events over time manifests itself in who that person is and how they handle life events. While negative stimuli can be overcome, it takes positive interactions to do so. Those positive interactions can be many different things including an individual doing things for their own betterment.

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Sarah Silver
I believe that genes are a huge impact in children and their ability to cope healthily with trauma. Despite this, it is obvious that the child's environment has just as much, if not more of an impact on their ability to deal with ACEs. A student is genetically disposed to trauma who experiences trauma, but has a healthy environment in which to deal with trauma, is more likely to learn healthy coping mechanisms to help negate the effects that trauma have had later in life. A child that is surrounded by traumatic environments, whether they are genetically predisposed to trauma or not, will not have a safe place to learn how to deal with and manage their trauma. When a child is in a constant state of fight or flight, they do not have the time to develop healthy coping mechanisms. This lack of trauma training can cause major problems for the child later in life.

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Margaret Baskin

I truly feel that environment rather than genes has a stronger and more lasting affect on a child's development. I have taught at an alternative school for 20 years and also at the juvenile detention facility. When the students open up and share the traumatic experiences in their lives then you are able to get a better sense of why they have made a bad decision. Between the ages of 1 to 5, a child may have negative experiences that they do not remember. The trauma of the child may permanently affect the chemical makeup of the brain in a negative way. Negative and positive experiences affect a child's life long behaviors. Our main goal at my school is to try to give each student the skills on how to make better decisions in the future. We want our students to realize their past and environment do not define them.

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Based on my experience as both a teacher and a parent, environment plays a much greater role than genes in how students handle traumatic experiences. For example, I have two students who have recently experienced a shared traumatic experience. The student who comes from a more stable, loving, and structured home has coped with the situation much more smoothly than the other student. Unfortunately, lack of communication, financial stressors, and unstable housing have caused this second student to shut down, refuse to express his feeling, and draw away more from his family and peers, creating a greater feeling of hopelessness. While, yes, genetics may be somewhat responsible for certain predispositions to accommodate stressful situations, the environment sets the tone for better understanding and healing, in my opinion.

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Although I believe genes are foundational, I believe that environment plays a major roll in the impact of trauma on a child and their development. Although genetics play a part, I believe that an environment that nurtures the child has the ability to positively impact and change the chid's social, emotional, behavioral, and physical wellbeing regardless of genetic predisposition.

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Jamie Barnes
After watching the video and seeing how the environment can effect genetics, I would say the the environment has a large impact on trauma, and the brain.  Adverse Childhood Experiences do have a great impact on childhood development. I have worked with children that have clearly experienced trauma and children that have no idea what a traumatic experience is. I have had to learn about the trauma experience that some children have gone through to help explain why they act the way they act in class and even socially with other students. It is how their brain processes the trauma. I believe early positive interactions are essential to overcoming negative experiences.

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Scott Nyary                                                                 This video was very concise and showed how both genes and environment influence brain development. Because no two people have the exact same genetic makeup, nor do they have the same experiences in life, no two individuals will have the same, exact brain development. I do think that certain people have more impactful traumatic experiences than others; as a result, their brains may have to somehow expend more effort in adapting to life circumstances in order for that person to be able to experience the same fulfillment, well-being, and success of other people who haven't had such ACE's. 

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Scott Nyary                                                                 This video was very concise and showed how both genes and environment influence brain development. Because no two people have the exact same genetic makeup, nor do they have the same experiences in life, no two individuals will have the same, exact brain development. I do think that certain people have more impactful traumatic experiences than others; as a result, their brains may have to somehow expend more effort in adapting to life circumstances in order for that person to be able to experience the same fulfillment, well-being, and success of other people who haven't had such ACE's. 

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Christopher McCrary
I am a strong believer in genetics having a important role in the development of children; however the environment is the foundation for "solid" building. I have encountered smart and intelligent that struggled emotionally, physically, mentally etc. due to bad environments. Adverse Childhood Experiences could absolutely effect a child's development no matter the genes. So, I believe acting those needs of shelter, affection, food, and the feeling of knowing someone cares about you can change the outcome for children with trauma in their lives.

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This video explained in a great way a lot of the things I have wondered about.  My opinion is that environment has the most effect on the brain (over genetics).  Knowing that our brains our so resilient and that with appropriate interventions children can adapt, I realize how important environmental factors and experiences are. This whole topic is fascinating to me.

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This video explained in a great way a lot of the things I have wondered about.  My opinion is that environment has the most effect on the brain (over genetics).  Knowing that our brains our so resilient and that with appropriate interventions children can adapt, I realize how important environmental factors and experiences are. This whole topic is fascinating to me.

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Amanda White

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Ria Judge

The video is very instrumental in distinguishing between genes, the environment and there affects on our development and our reaction to traumas. I think the environment plays a bigger role in our development, whether positive or negative experiences. I think our environment also influences our ability to cope with traumas we may have had or will experience during our lifetime.

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Franchell King
I had a traumatic experience growing up, and I can testify that it can have an affect on you at a later age. But, I can also say that the experience has made me into the successful person that I am today. I use my experience to assist and nurture my students. I inform them regularly that just because something bad has happened doesn't mean that you can't be someone or something someday. I definitely enjoyed the video

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Makita Jackson
In my opinion, while both play a part in who we are, environment plays a slightly greater role because it can have an effect on the genes themselves. Genes, however, can't determine environment. If a child grows up in a safe, loving and stable environment, they are more likely to know how to react to a negative situation.

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Kristen Fondren
I believe environment more often plays a bigger role on the trajectory of our lives.  I was raised in a two parent home with one college educated adult.  I saw two parents who went to work everyday so I grew up with a mindset that I would one day work as well to provide for my family.  I believe those who grow up without a stable home definitely have a bigger hill to climb than those who do grow up in a stable home.

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Meg Fuller
We always wonder about nature vs. nurture right? But what if we took what we knew about our genes, or about our kids genes, and adapt our environment to well nurture that child. We can't change someone's genes but we can fix our response and how we provide our children with safety and lessons that are obtainable for them.

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Tammy Cole

I am of the opinion that both genes and environment affects trauma. However, I do believe environment has a greater effect. I believe children can thrive and overcome some of the adverse effects of trauma when nurtured in an environment that promotes positive development.

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Genetics and environment both play a part in the development and how one reacts to situations. In noticing differences in students' outcomes there is a correlation between parents who are supportive and involved to those students who have not as supportive and involved parents. In the past, I have contributed this to simply the fact the students were getting more academics at home than the other students. I now also realize not only are they getting the academics, but they are also getting an environment that even without extra academics will contribute to the student being more successful. I do think they both play a role, but I don't think that one over the other one consistently plays a stronger role over the other.

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Ashley White
I believe both genetics and environmental factors play a crucial role in development. Prior to viewing this module's video, I believed that a traumatic environment was more impactful. I feel as though the video only confirmed my beliefs. The idea that negative environmental factors (such as pollution or poor nutrition) can literally change the ways genes are expressed is incredible and, as a teacher, this is a reminder that I must never put my students in a negative environment or be a negative factor in their lives.

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Charla Eubanks
I can definitely see how genes and the environment can both play a huge role in child development; however, in my opinion, I think that the environment plays a larger role in the emotional, social, and behavioral health of a child.  Children need stable, consistent, nurturing environments to grow and thrive in.  As I am going through this course, I already have so many students on my mind that clearly have experienced some sort of trauma.  I am looking forward to learning ways I can help my students develop an understanding to promote positive social norms.

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Katrina Carlisle

I grew up in a toxic environment until I was 16. We moved around from place to place and my mother had so many different men whom were in and out of our lives. When living with my mother, I was a nervous wreck with multiple ulcers and extremely malnourished. She married her 5th husband when I was 16 and that day I made the choice to live with my grandparents. My environment changed completely. There was dinner cooked and we even had food for me to take to school for lunch. I wasn't having to boil water for a warm bath, I didn't have to wonder if dinner was going to be available and I always came home to the same people. My needs were met and I was able to go to school to learn and not have to wonder what was going to happen at home. I truly believe a positive environment plays a tremendous role on how trauma impacts individuals.

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Genes vs Environment
S. Stockmeyer

I believe that environment plays a bigger role in how a child develops and how they react to trauma. If a child is in a good environment then they will learn from their caregivers how to deal with issues that arise in their lives.

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I think the video did an excellent job of explaining why both are important roles in the development of a human. We are quick to blame some things on genes and others on the way we were raised. My personal opinion, environment plays a much bigger role in the development of children. Especially a negative environment...

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I feel the video was very interesting. In my opinion, I feel that genetics and the environment both play a role, however, the environment in which a child grows up in or is exposed to has a larger impact on a child"s development. Situations and circumstances that we experience or endure form the people that we are.

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Hollea Hans

This research is very interesting. I think that both genes and environment play a role in how a person reacts to trauma. However, I think that the environment plays a bigger role than genetics. A person's environment has a physical impact on their brain, and influences their behavior and how they respond to trauma. Negative experiences in the environment can result in poor mental health, poor physical growth, and an inability to break negative cycles. The positive aspect is that unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes can be reversed.

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P. Grant
This is all very interesting information. However, in my opinion, I feel like the environment in which a child grows up has the greatest impact on a child's development and how they react to trauma more so than DNA.

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All of this research is absolutely fascinating... We have known for years that poverty can be a very hard cycle to break and this research goes on to explain why. The best part of all of this is that some of the damage can be reversed. I have always said speak life into people and watch them grow. I think that is a teacher's biggest responsibility!

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R. Mason

Although both genes and the environment are both important factors, I personally believe that the environment a person experiences is the predominate factor in trauma. Because the environment can have a physical impact on the brain, the environment in which a person functions can determine cognitive growth and development down to genetic response level. This can be both positive and negative, but an overly negative environment coupled with ACE tends to create more long lasting cognitive issues. Therefore, I believe that the environment is the biggest factor in trauma for a person over genes.

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Genes or Environment
Roxsann Kennemore

I have always believed both genes and the environment played a role in behavior. After watching the video, I learned more about how trauma can leave chemical memories and change the instructions of the DNA. The effects can be temporarily, permanent or reversible. If young children experience trauma for prolong periods it can create a derailed neuro connection and cause fear and anxiety. If children experience positive environments the chemical memories help the children function at optimal levels into adulthood. I can see why children may find it difficult to have success in the classroom. It is good to know that the brain is complex and although children may have a rough beginning they still may have good outcomes.

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I  believe genes and the environment can both play a significant role on how trauma impacts an individual and on a child's development. However, I feel like the environment more significantly impacts outcomes and development for individuals. It was interesting to learn how DNA is affected by the environment and explains some of the behaviors I see throughout the school system.

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I think both genes and environment can have an influence how a person reacts to trauma; however, I believe environment has the greatest impact. I believe a person’s genes can  be responsible for how sensitive a person is which can play a role in how that person reacts to trauma, but the environment in which a person grows up in determines their behaviors and how the person responds to negative events in that person’s life.   As a teacher, I definitely have seen that the children coming from poverty, abuse, and/or neglect have a much harder time being successful in the classroom and in their personal relationships.

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Robin H.

Based upon what was taught in this module, both affect behavior. Environmental experiences, such as trauma, result in chemical changes to one’s DNA. Then, the DNA is inherited by the offspring, which supports the genetic argument. So, it becomes cyclical. The only way to break the cycle would be to ensure a child has proper nutrition and a consistent, positive support system at home and in the community. That way, more chemical markers for positive experiences can be passed down through DNA as well as creating a safer environment for children to develop without as much trauma.

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I think the child needs both. Genes provide a good start, but environment plays a major role, too. I agree that genetic predisposition can make a student vulnerable to various situations, but how he or she deals with it, may come down to personal environment. If the child has been taught positive ways in which to deal with adversity, disappointments, or stress, then he or she will more easily cope. In short, both genes and environment play a role.

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class discussion         Lalana Glasgow            Really and truly I am not sure how I feel about which one affects trauma the most--having the genes or being in the environment. I have reasons for each side, but from personal experience a person can overcome both but it does take a lot of work. I say this because I don't know that I have the genes but I do know for a fact that I have witnessed more trauma in my life than I should have---starting with being born premature and the doctor not being able to tell my mom for 3 weeks if I would even live or not. I could go on and on about things I have lived with, seen, and been through personally or with close friends. I have worked really hard to get where I am and achieve what I have and I am not finished. I still have lots to do before I am done. So, I guess I believe that in most cases environment could be the biggest factor but ultimately one does know right from wrong and each person has the will power to decide how their life will turn out. We are responsible for our own choices and decisions. 

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class discussion         Lalana Glasgow            Really and truly I am not sure how I feel about which one affects trauma the most--having the genes or being in the environment. I have reasons for each side, but from personal experience a person can overcome both but it does take a lot of work. I say this because I don't know that I have the genes but I do know for a fact that I have witnessed more trauma in my life than I should have---starting with being born premature and the doctor not being able to tell my mom for 3 weeks if I would even live or not. I could go on and on about things I have lived with, seen, and been through personally or with close friends. I have worked really hard to get where I am and achieve what I have and I am not finished. I still have lots to do before I am done. So, I guess I believe that in most cases environment could be the biggest factor but ultimately one does know right from wrong and each person has the will power to decide how their life will turn out. We are responsible for our own choices and decisions. 

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It's fascinating to look at adult siblings and wonder at how they can be so different from each other. They come from the same gene pool! We are all so unique, and our individual life experiences ultimately mold us in ways we may not even be aware of. While I believe genes provide a blueprint, it is ultimately the environment which has a greater impact on a child's development.

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Genes vs Environment?
Genes effect a persons persons emotional  state first b/c they determine the type of emotional strength a person has and can overcome environmental difficulties. Reportedly, not all children raised in a well balanced environment turn out to be a well balanced individual as an adult. For example a predisposed position to drugs, sexual promiscuity, intellectual ability, and other health impaired diagnosis or mental status can be associated with genes. C. Hollingsworth

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C.Jones
Based on previous knowledge and the video, I believe that a child’s environment has the greatest impact on his/her development. However, I never realized that environment could affect the child’s DNA. This opened my eyes to the fact that the trauma our students suffer from impacts them much deeper than I previously thought.

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While both are impactful, it appears environment may be more impactful as an experience for the person; changes in genetics may be more impactful for future generations.

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K. Schroder
While both influence the life and health of a person, I believe the environment that a child grows up in affects their development more. Some trauma can affect the brain and pass on through generations, however, the child's own experiences have a larger affect on their actions and reactions to the world around them.

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R. Lowe
This seems to be a never ending debate, possibly because both have an impact on individuals as they grow and develop. I do believe environment plays a larger role in how a child develops, but his/her genes certainly can not be denied. If a person's environment was not a major player in how that individual matures and grows, then a person's life would automatically be predetermined at birth. A person would never overcome the environment he/she was born into, good or not so good. A child, or adult for that matter, needs a person they can confide in, that will encourage them. Someone that will "cheer" them on to bigger and better things, even when genetically they may have been dealt a "losing hand".

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In my opinion, environment more heavily impacts trauma.

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Rose Brown
Although the genetic propensity for a child's overall development is profound, the environmental influences can most definitely turn on or off a switch. Whether it is due to a toxic family environment or an external toxic environmental influence, the DNA is affected and imprinted with the "trauma" induced. Having said that, some children are resilient, and they manage to thrive through adverse experiences, whereas other children succumb to the effects of trauma. Intervention is necessary in order to assist a child through a traumatic incident or situation in order to curtail any lasting adverse effect. The ramifications of trauma that deeply imprint on the DNA of a child can be passed along to a future generation. If left untreated, the effects of trauma can cause a child to experience negative emotional, physical, spiritual, or other undesirable traits.

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Genes or Environment?

G. Piasecki

April 9th, 2021

A child's development is influenced by the genes and the environment. And while the genes are important and form the blueprint, the experiences in the child's life (whether positive or negative experiences) will provide “an extra layer of information.” And while a child's development is both influenced by the genes and the environment, it my opinion that experiences may play a more vital role, as it is clearly emphasized in the the video that positive experiences are crucial for optimal brain development, while negative experiences can change the genome (sometimes permanently) and have lasting effects on a person's life.

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Genes vs. Environment      My mind automatically thought of the children in war torn countries. The generational repercussions could be astounding. Poor diets and healthcare as well as trauma compound the effects. Does the cultural attitudes of these areas affect the total extent of the effects of trauma? What desensitizing effects are built up to cope with the trauma?This raised more questions than answers. - C Sanford

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Genes vs. Environment      My mind automatically thought of the children in war torn countries. The generational repercussions could be astounding. Poor diets and healthcare as well as trauma compound the effects. Does the cultural attitudes of these areas affect the total extent of the effects of trauma? What desensitizing effects are built up to cope with the trauma?This raised more questions than answers. - C Sanford

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M. Courville

I strongly feel that while genes do play a part in the social, emotional, and behavioral health of a child, environment has a much greater impact. If a child has certain genes that have a negative effect on the brain, it would seem this could be easily be overcome if the child was brought up in a loving, caring, and stable environment. On the other hand, if a child possesses no genes that would negatively effect brain function, this could in no way make up for an unhealthy home environment if there is abuse, neglect, or any type of disfunction involved.

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Genes or Environment

I don't think you can choose one over the other as most impactful when it comes to trauma. It is a fine balance between the 2 that lead to a healthy individual. A child's environment is very important and it is heavily documented as to what a bad environment can do to a person. But, not all people are negatively affected by a poor or traumatic upbringing. Some "rise-above" if you will. Does that mean that that person's genetics are stronger and more capable to ward off epigenetic modifications??  I certainly do not know.  The only thing that is a certainty is that trauma can be horrible and debilitating for some individuals and understanding of this is crucial if there is hope for this person to heal and move forward productively. We have to care what happens to each other (but not enable those who are older) in hopes to break the traumatic cycle.

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I thought it was interesting that not only can bad experiences leave a permanent "roadblock" in the developmental pathways, these roadblocks can also possibly be passed on.

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I thought it was interesting that not only can bad experiences leave a permanent "roadblock" in the developmental pathways, these roadblocks can also possibly be passed on.

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While I feel environment has a larger role in a person's development I also feel that Genes have a big role in how the person responds to trauma and in turn their development. Just as two people can come out of the same environment with the same experiences and be affected completely differently.

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D Bowman
In my opinion, genetics and environment are equally important in a person's development and well-being. Each affects the other. Environment can sometimes change the effects of genetics whereas genetics can sometimes help a person overcome environmental obstacles. In the video, I did find it interesting about environment leaving memories in our DNA that can lead to or hinder optimal brain development. It is very true, as I have seen from being a counselor at the same school for many years, that traumatic experiences are passed down through several generations. History does repeat itself within families many times. I can not say if I attribute the continuance of the cycle to genetic makeup or to similar environmental climate within the families. I can attest to the realization that positive influences and healthy environments are better for everyone regardless of genetic makeup.

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I believe genetics play a role but the environment in which one is raised play an ever bigger role at times. If all someone sees is negative and toxic relationships that is gonna be all he or she knows and relates to. It will just be hard for them to except anything other than that.

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I knew much of what was said in this video from my own experiences or research, but really enjoyed how succinctly it was presented.
In my opinion, I think our society is approaching the stage where we can begin to make some real progress to help address some of these issues. Elimination of the stigmas attached to mental illnesses and parenting would be good places to start our journey to prevention of some adverse childhood experiences.

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I do believe it is likely that both play a significant if not equal role in a child's unique overall personality, but I believe it is a waste of energy wondering how much this has affected someone when the environment is what we have control of, and in many cases I have seen, it is that "change" that makes a difference in how the child decides to behave. I would like to play "Devil's advocate" and say that even if genes were discovered to affect development of personality traits 50% or more, what would this change about the goals of education and training children? Would we further "track" a young child as one position in life or another based on genetics? I certainly hope not. We have already done enough of that with children with disabilities. That completely discounts how our choices and our ability to change and learn shape us. 

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I do believe it is likely that both play a significant if not equal role in a child's unique overall personality, but I believe it is a waste of energy wondering how much this has affected someone when the environment is what we have control of, and in many cases I have seen, it is that "change" that makes a difference in how the child decides to behave. I would like to play "Devil's advocate" and say that even if genes were discovered to affect development of personality traits 50% or more, what would this change about the goals of education and training children? Would we further "track" a young child as one position in life or another based on genetics? I certainly hope not. We have already done enough of that with children with disabilities. That completely discounts how our choices and our ability to change and learn shape us. 

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Based on my teaching experience and the students and families I have been involved with,  I have always felt that, out of the two, the environment plays more of a role in development than genetics.
My favorite success story is a student whose aunt and uncle took him in when he was in middle school. Although there were many tough times along the way, he was able to make considerable changes in his behavior and emotional stability due to the drastic change in his environment. Also, it seems to me, students who are more resilient to childhood trauma despite their environment had at least one consistent family member, relative, neighbor, teacher, mentor, etc. that they could rely on for support and unconditional love. The idea of epigenetics is interesting!

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Genetics play a role in the development of our students much like environment does. The experiences that the student has through out their life can shape that student, but a lot of the way in how a person will react to those experiences will be in genetics. Genetic predisposition can sometimes make a student more vulnerable to being anxious, angry, or even depressed. Then when you throw in environmental factors, the student in is a downward spiral of bad issues. I think they play together to form the basis of who our students are at the core.

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Environment can impact our development and our students development much more than genetics. The experiences that we have as children will shape our outlooks, personalities, and approaches to life experiences who we ultimately become as person. Basically how we view the world.

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Environment can impact our development and our students development much more than genetics. The experiences that we have as children will shape our outlooks, personalities, and approaches to life experiences who we ultimately become as person. Basically how we view the world.