What Is Epigenetics?

Conrad Waddington (1905-1975) is often credited with coining the term epigenetics in 1942 as “the branch of biology which studies the causal interactions between genes and their products, which bring the phenotype into being”. Epigenetics appears in the literature as far back as the mid 19th century, although the conceptual origins date back to Aristotle (384-322 BC). He believed in epigenesis: the development of individual organic form from the unformed. This controversial view was the main argument against our having developed from miniscule fully-formed bodies. Even today the extent to which we are preprogrammed versus environmentally shaped awaits universal consensus. The field of epigenetics has emerged to bridge the gap between nature and nurture. In the 21st century you will most commonly find epigenetics defined as ‘the study of heritable changes in genome function that occur without a change in DNA sequence‘.

The Scientists that work in this rapidly expanding research field say that
“Epigenetics has always been all the weird and wonderful things that can’t be explained by genetics.”
Denise Barlow (Vienna, Austria)

“DNA is just a tape carrying information, and a tape is no good without a player. Epigenetics is about the tape player.”
Bryan Turner (Birmingham, UK)

“Epigenetic control literally means control above the genes.”
Bruce Lipton, Ph.D, star of the award-winning documentary film, What If? The Movie, http://www.whatifthemovie.tv

Importance of Epigenetics

Epigenetics is important in development partly because the genome is largely static. Epigenetic modifications are required to provide some dynamic variability to cellular function and phenotype, allowing for cellular differentiation. Epigenetics can also contribute to congenital disorders such as Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. Epigenetics may also be important in evolution since transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic modifications has been observed (eg, paramutation in maize). Often however, these modifications are lost after several generations.

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www.whatifthemovie.tv Written by: James A Sinclair, Creator of the award-winning documentary film What If? The Movie.(One of those spiritual movies you must see!) www.whatifthemovie.tv