Researchers have explored
genetic pedigrees looking for common variations that combine to cause mental illnesses with little luck finding an answer. Scientists are now turning their focus to an emerging field know as
epigenetics, the study of how people’s experience and environment affect the function of their genes. Genes carry chemical attachments; compounds acting on the DNA molecule that regulate when, where or how much protein is made, without altering the protein itself. Studies suggest that such add-on, or epigenetic, markers develop as an animal adapts to its environment. These markers can profoundly affect behavior. By studying genes at the “epi” level, scientists are hoping to discover patterns that have been expressed at the level of the genes and find targets for treatments that would not simply shut off
errant genes but would gradually turn their activity up or down.
Experts agree that any effort to understand how genes affect behavior must take into account how experience affects genes. This article explains the significance of epigenetics and how it can be used to discover the unknown sources of many illnesses. Epigenetics can be especially useful in the area of cancer. Cancer studies should consider epigenetic effects and mechanisms. Moving the focus beyond inheritance through DNA alone and investigating epigenetic exposures such as environmental factors, dietary patterns, and lifestyle habits in populations has the prospect to significantly benefit future cancer prevention and treatment schemes.
I've read articles on epigenetics before, including one that suggests that our grandparents' experience has affected our gene expression. This one introduces a different way of looking at epigenetics that is intriguing. If gene expression can be altered by environment and experience then is there a way we could use that to treat gene and make them express less or more as we desired? It's interesting to see here that after so many years of the nature versus nurture argument that now there is scientific evidence proving that both have an influence.
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