Lindsay Pasquale
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Epigenetics
What is epigenetics? Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes
in gene expression, also known as active versus inactive genes, that does not
involve changes to underlying DNA sequence, which can affect how cells read the
genes. DNA sequence is a change in phenotype without a change in genotype. Each
person has their own unique genetic code that makes up who they are. Epigenetic
change can be influenced by factors including, age, the environment, and
disease state. It can be a regular and natural occurrence. Epigenetics has been
around for a while, over a decade.
Epigenetics is important because it gives our body the ability to
influence which genes will be expressed, depending on our immediate environment.
Genes can be passed down generation to generation, the changes we make today
can have an effect on the future generations. This relates to when someone goes
to the doctor and they ask if there is any past history of cancer. If the
answer is yes, then the person should be more cautious and have checkup
frequently through time. Thankfully, so far cancer does not run through my family,
so the doctor isn’t as concerned that it is in my genes. On the other hand, a
friend of mine has a long history of breast cancer in her family and she gets
checked quite frequently. Its common of people to think that our DNA determines
just our physical appearance, but it can also determine how we function as an
organism, which include our health and awareness to disease.
Today, there is some level of epigenetic mechanisms that relate to a
wide variety of illnesses, behaviors, and other health indicators, which
include cancers of all types, cognitive dysfunction, and respiratory,
cardiovascular, reproductive, autoimmune, and neurobehavioral illnesses. Known epigenetic
processes include heavy metals, pesticides, diesel exhaust, tobacco smoke, polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, hormones, radioactivity, viruses, bacteria, and other
basic nutrients. Epigenetic processes are natural and essential to many
organism function, but if they do occur improperly, it can result in a major
adverse health and behavioral effect. Most research on epigenetic inherence has
been done on mice.
The Guardian explains epigenetics and our experiences. For example,
Bisophenol A (BPA), is an additive in some plastics that have been linked to
other diseases and cancer. It has been removed from consumer products in some
countries. It has been exerting through a number of mechanisms including epigenetic
modification. Poor health as a child growing up can affect DNA patters, and
complications can follow you throughout life.
During an epigenetic process, one effect is imprinting. Imprinting is
the condition where one of the two alleles of a typical gene pair is silenced
by an epigenetic process such as methylation. According to NCBI, imprinting was
first identified in 1910, in corn and first confirmed in mammals.
Epigenetics will continue to grow as research findings expand. Researchers
use many different sources to keep moving forward in their studies. Genetics
can be a very broad subject and quite complex.
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