The Debate Is Over
From the beginning, scientists, researchers and philosophers have debated over what is the true essence of health and disease. Is it nature or is it nurture? Are we victims to our genes or is our environment a bigger factor? Two recent studies should bring some closure to the debate.
Neuroscience news reports that something called a gene regulator turns genes on and off inside the brain in response to our environment. This process called methylation leaves chemical instructions that tell genes what proteins to make, what tissues to produce and what functions to activate. This allows our genetics and physiology to change in response to changes in our environment throughout life. Another study in Scientific American discusses something called “Jumping genes” that move around neurons and alter the way we work. These are segments of DNA that copy and paste themselves in new places on the genes altering the behavior of the complete gene. Once again, these jumping genes appear to respond to changes in the environment to help us adapt appropriately.
Obviously we are born with the genes we inherit from our parents. But studies like these (and many others) prove that we are not slaves to the genes we’re born with – we can alter our very genome and change the expression of these genes. Is it nature or nurture? Clearly it is both! This can be good news or bad news depending on the environment that you’re exposing your DNA. This is why what we eat, drink, and breathe as well as how we exercise, sleep, and think can have equally positive or detrimental effects depending on whether we are making the right choices or not. You are very much in the driver’s seat and have a responsibility to choose wisely. Another dimension of this since we’re talking about genes; for those still planning on having children, how you live and express your genes will also have an effect on what you pass on to your unborn kids. So live well!
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