The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture
Introduction: The last five decades have wit- nessed a transition from brutal forms of physi- cal torture to other physical and psychological methods that do not leave marks on the body. Providing evidence of these types of torture is often a challenge. Finding biological markers of torture would po...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
2020-11-01
|
| Series: | Torture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://tidsskrift.dk/torture-journal/article/view/118632 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849391544088395776 |
|---|---|
| author | Paula Suárez-López |
| author_facet | Paula Suárez-López |
| author_sort | Paula Suárez-López |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The last five decades have wit- nessed a transition from brutal forms of physi- cal torture to other physical and psychological methods that do not leave marks on the body. Providing evidence of these types of torture is often a challenge. Finding biological markers of torture would potentially contribute to solve this problem.
Methods: Scientific literature review.
Results: Methods to analyse certain biological marks present in the genetic material (the DNA), called epigenetic marks, have been developed in recent years. These marks can change in response to environmental factors, but these changes do not alter the genetic information contained in the DNA. Changes in epigenetic marks have been correlated with traumatic stress. Given that torture is an extreme form of trauma, this article argues that torture may also be associated with epigenetic changes.
Discussion: Epigenetic methods offer a new tool that might be useful for the medico-legal documentation of cases of torture. Given that these methods have not been used for this purpose yet, they should be tested. Whether they have potential to contribute to determine the severity of suffering, establish a severity threshold or design strategies for the rehabilitation of torture survivors is discussed. The advantages and limitations of these methods, as well as ethical implications, must be taken into account. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c16f53be9b6e4b5cb4a266fc88a31f89 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1018-8185 1997-3322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Torture |
| spelling | doaj-art-c16f53be9b6e4b5cb4a266fc88a31f892025-08-20T03:41:01ZengInternational Rehabilitation Council for Torture VictimsTorture1018-81851997-33222020-11-01302193410.7146/torture.v30i2.118632112411The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torturePaula Suárez-López0Human Rights Centre, University of Essex, ColchesterIntroduction: The last five decades have wit- nessed a transition from brutal forms of physi- cal torture to other physical and psychological methods that do not leave marks on the body. Providing evidence of these types of torture is often a challenge. Finding biological markers of torture would potentially contribute to solve this problem. Methods: Scientific literature review. Results: Methods to analyse certain biological marks present in the genetic material (the DNA), called epigenetic marks, have been developed in recent years. These marks can change in response to environmental factors, but these changes do not alter the genetic information contained in the DNA. Changes in epigenetic marks have been correlated with traumatic stress. Given that torture is an extreme form of trauma, this article argues that torture may also be associated with epigenetic changes. Discussion: Epigenetic methods offer a new tool that might be useful for the medico-legal documentation of cases of torture. Given that these methods have not been used for this purpose yet, they should be tested. Whether they have potential to contribute to determine the severity of suffering, establish a severity threshold or design strategies for the rehabilitation of torture survivors is discussed. The advantages and limitations of these methods, as well as ethical implications, must be taken into account.https://tidsskrift.dk/torture-journal/article/view/118632severity of sufferingtraumaepigeneticsdna methylationtorture biomarkers |
| spellingShingle | Paula Suárez-López The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture Torture severity of suffering trauma epigenetics dna methylation torture biomarkers |
| title | The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture |
| title_full | The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture |
| title_fullStr | The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture |
| title_full_unstemmed | The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture |
| title_short | The potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture |
| title_sort | potential of epigenetic methods to provide evidence of torture |
| topic | severity of suffering trauma epigenetics dna methylation torture biomarkers |
| url | https://tidsskrift.dk/torture-journal/article/view/118632 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT paulasuarezlopez thepotentialofepigeneticmethodstoprovideevidenceoftorture AT paulasuarezlopez potentialofepigeneticmethodstoprovideevidenceoftorture |