An emerging field of research is challenging former assumptions about our genetic code and inheritance. Known as epigenetics, it is the discovery, supported by clinical research, that a network of chemical switches controls the expression of our DNA. In other words, our DNA is not etched in stone, but selectively enabled or disabled by interaction with the environment. Not all DNA is epigenetic, but enough that the epigenome adds another magnitude of complexity over the Human Genome Project, which mapped out only about 20,000 genes in our DNA, not enough, in the opinion of many scientists, to define the complexity of the human body.
Furthermore, the data indicates that our present lifestyle choices will affect the genetic makeup and lifespan of future generations! Habits such as smoking can alter the epigenetic switches that can disable natural resistance to cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. This is a hitherto unknown mechanism by which diet and exposure to chemicals can compromise the integrity of our DNA, affecting not only our present state of health, but strongly influencing the genetic makeup of offspring 2, 3, or more generations in the future.

Amazing! In the Nova presentation “Ghost in Your Genes”, the case of two subjects dying of leukemia is described. When given an experimental treatment that disabled the chemical ‘tags’ of the epigenome, they both became free of cancer. Other research indicates that in our early growth there exists a window of time in which the environment becomes imprinted on our DNA.
Along with the generational legacy of global warming, we must also concern ourselves with the integrity of the epigenome we will pass on to our children. Together, these two elements suggest a Mandala-like symmetry in which past, present, and future are linked in ways formerly undreamed of. The discovery also opens the door for the explanation of some phenomena like miraculous healing, in which the state of mind appears to control our resistance to disease.
We are the guardians of our epigenome, and therefore the consequences of lifestyle choices like smoking need to be reconsidered. This is another good reason to vote for Measure 50, which will not only provide much-needed medical converage for children, but will be an investment in the health of future generations.
For more information on the epigenome link to
pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genes

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 at 5:17 pm and is filed under Health Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.