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Binge-drinking can trigger genetic variations for future generations

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KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross. 

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor


PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new study from Rutgers has found that binge-drinking can trigger genetic changes that make people crave alcohol even more. 

Researchers suggest this is part of a growing amount of evidence that alcohol use can cause genetic changes that reinforce addiction and can be passed down to future generations. 

Two genes — PER2 and POMC — are most impacted and are responsible for a greater tolerance to alcohol, which means more is needed to get the same desired effect. But the study also looked at the epigenetic impact — the idea that the damage could be passed down to future generations. 

The research suggests it can.