Epigenetic changes are genetic modifications that impact gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. It refers to external modifications to DNA that turn genes “on” or “off.” These modifications do not change the DNA sequence, but instead, they affect how cells “read” genes.
Epigenetic changes can influence various physiological and pathological outcomes and behavioural traits. The infographic in the slideshow below was produced by the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University. It shows how children’s experiences affect their genes.
While our physical traits are more or less predetermined by DNA, it is the genes within which are responsible for the development of particular traits. This has been a consistent finding in the field of epigenetics.
A recent article in The Conversation sums up epigenetics pretty well in layman-friendly terms:
Epigenetics refers to shifts in gene expression that occur without changes to the DNA sequence. Some epigenetic changes are an aspect of cell function, such as those associated with ageing. However, environmental factors also affect the functions of genes, meaning people’s behaviours affect their genetics. For instance, identical twins develop from a single fertilised egg, and as a result, they share the same genetic makeup. However, as the twins age, their appearances may differ due to distinct environmental exposures.
Epigenetic modifications are influenced by environmental factors, pharmaceutical and nutritional elements, lifestyle and developmental stages. They play crucial roles in normal development, cellular differentiation and disease processes. For instance, epigenetic changes can affect cancer progression, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic modifications are often reversible, making them a significant area of interest for therapeutic interventions. Understanding epigenetics provides insights into how genes and the environment interact to shape health and disease outcomes across generations.
Epigenetic studies on identical twins have also effectively demolished the “gay gene” theory. It was discovered that the adoption of a homosexual lifestyle by one identical twin is rarely replicated in the genetically identical kin. The argument that “I was born this way” is therefore based on politically-dictated fraudulent science.
While the field of epigenetics is vast and often poorly understood, I will focus on three elements which can activate novel gene expressions in the human body...<<<Read More>>>...