For those unfamiliar with Epigenetics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics
In genetics, epigenetics is the study of cellular and physiological trait variations that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence; in laymans terms, epigenetics is essentially the study of external or environmental factors that turn genes on and off and affect how cells read genes.[1] Hence, epigenetic research seeks to describe dynamic alterations in the transcriptional potential of a cell. These alterations may or may not be heritable, although the use of the term "epigenetic" to describe processes that are not heritable is controversial.[2] Unlike genetics based on changes to the DNA sequence (the genotype), the changes in gene expression or cellularphenotype of epigenetics have other causes, thus use of the prefix epi- (Greek: επί- over, outside of, around).[3][4]
It basically studies what we would consider "external factors" that influence and manipulate human gene expression on a more fundamental level than just natural selection.
The Epigenetics movement has been growing for a while but really started to pick up momentum in the 90s, and the study has accelerated even more now in 2015. I've always thought natural selection is just a part of the explanation and not the entire explanation, and epigenetics goes into some of that.
Some branches are even investigating how our thoughts, feelings, and actions influence our gene expression, and the results from those experiments (according to the practitioners) have been significant.
Obviously this could have huge implications for human beings and how we evolve into the future because gene expression is responsible for, well, everything... Thoughts?
edit: I know how trolls can misbehave when discussing information that challenges their pre-conceived notions, but I'm asking for relevant feedback and dialogue... thanks in advance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics
In genetics, epigenetics is the study of cellular and physiological trait variations that are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence; in laymans terms, epigenetics is essentially the study of external or environmental factors that turn genes on and off and affect how cells read genes.[1] Hence, epigenetic research seeks to describe dynamic alterations in the transcriptional potential of a cell. These alterations may or may not be heritable, although the use of the term "epigenetic" to describe processes that are not heritable is controversial.[2] Unlike genetics based on changes to the DNA sequence (the genotype), the changes in gene expression or cellularphenotype of epigenetics have other causes, thus use of the prefix epi- (Greek: επί- over, outside of, around).[3][4]
It basically studies what we would consider "external factors" that influence and manipulate human gene expression on a more fundamental level than just natural selection.
The Epigenetics movement has been growing for a while but really started to pick up momentum in the 90s, and the study has accelerated even more now in 2015. I've always thought natural selection is just a part of the explanation and not the entire explanation, and epigenetics goes into some of that.
Some branches are even investigating how our thoughts, feelings, and actions influence our gene expression, and the results from those experiments (according to the practitioners) have been significant.
Obviously this could have huge implications for human beings and how we evolve into the future because gene expression is responsible for, well, everything... Thoughts?
edit: I know how trolls can misbehave when discussing information that challenges their pre-conceived notions, but I'm asking for relevant feedback and dialogue... thanks in advance.
