Epigenetics, or "Why You and Your Kids and Grandkids Are What YOU Eat."
Posted 09-28-2007 at 10:53 AM by bunnyday
I saw a great bit about epigenetics on NovaScienceNOW recently.
"The Greek "epi-" prefix of the word "epigenetics" implies features that are "on top of" or "in addition to" genetics, and the current usage of the word reflects this—epigenetic traits exist on top of or in addition to the traditional molecular basis for inheritance."
NOVA | scienceNOW | Epigenetics | PBS
all cells in our bodies have the same genes but parts are silenced by the epigenome depending whether they are supposed to be skin cells, heart cells, bone etc... Epigenetic constructions can change especially during critical periods such as puberty or pregnancy.
The great example they used was a cat and her clone - it's under "Video extras" at the above link. The cat has certain colors in her fur, her clone has different colors. they should be identical, right? same DNA, etc... well, epigenetics affected changes. The main clip summary is: " Our lifestyles and environment can change the way our genes are expressed, leading even identical twins to become distinct as they age."
also, Scientists alter the epigenome in mice (giving them different colored coats and different levels of fat in their bodies) by feeding them certain kinds of diets. these epigenomes are passed on to their children. One of the researchers says, implications "for human health if there are genes like this in humans, basically what you eat can affect your future generations. so you're not only what you eat but what your parents and grandparents ate." soak that one up for a while!
So does it follow that if our lifestyles and environment can change the way our genes are expressed, then they can change the way our Keratosis Pilaris is expressed? Think about how many of us develop our KP during puberty and during or after pregnancy.
"The Greek "epi-" prefix of the word "epigenetics" implies features that are "on top of" or "in addition to" genetics, and the current usage of the word reflects this—epigenetic traits exist on top of or in addition to the traditional molecular basis for inheritance."
NOVA | scienceNOW | Epigenetics | PBS
all cells in our bodies have the same genes but parts are silenced by the epigenome depending whether they are supposed to be skin cells, heart cells, bone etc... Epigenetic constructions can change especially during critical periods such as puberty or pregnancy.
The great example they used was a cat and her clone - it's under "Video extras" at the above link. The cat has certain colors in her fur, her clone has different colors. they should be identical, right? same DNA, etc... well, epigenetics affected changes. The main clip summary is: " Our lifestyles and environment can change the way our genes are expressed, leading even identical twins to become distinct as they age."
also, Scientists alter the epigenome in mice (giving them different colored coats and different levels of fat in their bodies) by feeding them certain kinds of diets. these epigenomes are passed on to their children. One of the researchers says, implications "for human health if there are genes like this in humans, basically what you eat can affect your future generations. so you're not only what you eat but what your parents and grandparents ate." soak that one up for a while!
So does it follow that if our lifestyles and environment can change the way our genes are expressed, then they can change the way our Keratosis Pilaris is expressed? Think about how many of us develop our KP during puberty and during or after pregnancy.
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Bunnyday:
I appreciate very much your contribution to this forum.This video is worth watching! It explains a lot of things that many members of our community have asked, like: why do I have it and my sister don't? or why do I have it and none in my family does? Excellent! ![]() |
Posted 09-28-2007 at 11:18 PM by Elsa Zoe
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