The Affect We Have on our Children's Genes

Recently, a new study, published by Science Magazine shows that its not just the women who need to keep an eye on their own lifestyle as far as passing things onto their children, men should too.  More explained by Discover Magazine, human traits such as height, weight, intelligence, and more can partially be inherited, and researchers are coining this inheritance as epigenetics.  "Epigenetics refers to the information in the genome over and above that contained in the DNA sequence.  This information takes a number of forms, but the most popular ones scientists have studied relate to the chemical modification (known as methylation and acetylation) of DNA and the proteins called histones that together make up the human genome" (Discover).  In other words, this information helps to influence which form of our genes are expressed and these forms could then supposedly be inherited through generations and "can even persist within a lifetime in a person's tissues and organs, even as their cells are replenished" (Discover).  Therefore, even a person's nutrition and weight during reproduction, can affect the genes inherited by the child; however, both women and men are included in this passing down.  

It has already been proven that a signature epigenetic gene in men's sperm are liked to their child's Autism.  And "they also suggest that if certain factors in a man’s environment disrupt this same epigenetic process during the production of sperm, this could also be an underlying cause of birth defects and disease that may be traceable to the father" (Discover). The way in which both men and women live their lives, are related to the health of their children.  I do not believe that this is an excuse to use genetic counseling, but instead a huge eye opener to watch more carefully at the choices we make in our lifetime.