Thursday, May 2, 2013

Meet the epigenome: the next genomic frontier

Just when you thought you had a handle on genetics, enter the epigenome! Thinking that the genome (sequence of genes) explains an organism is like thinking a parts listing explains how a device like a car operates under varying conditions through its life cycle. Importantly "...the epigenome is fluid and dynamic; changing in different tissues, at different stages in development and in response to environmental exposures and lifestyle habits. It can be modified by what we eat and drink, smoking, ageing, stress, pollution, sun exposure and countless other environmental factors." So for any philosophers out there, this is why the supposed nature OR nurture dichotomy is a crock. It's nature AND nurture.

Source:Meet the epigenome: the next genomic frontier

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