Free Essay Sample: The Role of Epigenetics in Genetic Heredity

In the past, it was believed that genetic traits passed on through generations solely depended on the genetic code and makeup of the parent organism and that the environment played no role in the gene alteration. However, the discovery of epigenetics has changed this narrative. For this paper, the article "why your DNA isn't your Destiny" (John C. 2010) and a video by Neil Degrasse will be used as references to discuss the role of epigenetics in a variation of identical organisms. Both authors state that the environment plays a critical role in the type of traits passed on from a parent to an offspring.

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This subject of discussion has always been controversial to me since traditional science has always been of the view that the genetic makeup of an individual is independent of environmental factors. However, the article helps me understand more on epigenomes and how it brings about variations. I have learned that epigenetics refers to the variations in the gene activities without a change in the genetic makeup. This implies that the environment plays a role in the differentiation of organisms. Scientists have attributed this to the attachment of foreign cellular matter to the genome whose interaction with various environmental factors yield a difference in two identical organisms (Holliday R. 2006). To illustrate this, an experiment was conducted using two genetically identical rats. Both rats are observed to have the agouti obesity gene. However, this gene stays activated in one rat leading to obesity (Pavlovic B. 2015). In the article, the effects of long periods of drought and famine were passed on to the subsequent generations of the Norrbotten people as explained by the methylation process (Bygren, 2007).

I have also been unable to decide on whether this scientific discovery is a blessing or a curse in disguise to the human life. This is because poor eating habits and lifestyle choices like drinking and smoking cause an alteration to the epigenomes and through the process of methylation lead to the passing on of undesirable traits to the offsprings. The result is decreased lifespan of these individuals and an increase in the mortality rate. On the other hand, due to the advancement in research and technology, scientists have deciphered a way to manipulate the switching on and off of this cellular attachment in such a way that undesirable genes are switched off while those that yield desirable traits are kept on (Pena et al. 2017). Hence, through the control of the epigenome, various mental and other genetic disorders like autism can be treated and controlled.

In conclusion, I would strongly recommend further exploration and research in this area of science. Epigenetic changes are not permanent and can be manipulated to suit the needs of human beings. The positive environmental stressor is maintained while that which leads to undesirable traits is removed.

References

Holliday, R. (2006). Epigenetics: A Historical Overview. Epigenetics, 1(2), 76-80.

Kaati, G., Bygren, L. O., Pembrey, M., & Sjostrom, M. (2007). Transgenerational Response to Nutrition, Early Life Circumstances, and Longevity. European Journal of Human Genetics, 15(7), 784.

Pavlovic, M., & Balint, B. (2015). Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in Cancer Stem Cell Profiles. In Bioengineering and Cancer Stem Cell Concept (pp. 73-87). Springer, Cham.

Pena, A. C., Aresta-Branco, F., & Figueiredo, L. M. (2017). Epigenetic Regulation in T. brucei: Changing Coats Is a Chance to Survive. In Epigenetics of Infectious Diseases (pp. 221-241). Springer, Cham.