An Epigenew Idea
Epigenetics
KJ has recently been intrigued by a verity of other genetic technologies. She realized that posting articles on an unknown blog may not be the best way to spend her time, so she began a very different type of extravaganza. KJ wants to understand how a changes in physical features, likes, and dislikes change overtime.
Epigenetics are influenced by chemical reactions in your brain that regulate gene expression. They respond to the environment and alter specific genes of an individual in order to correctly suit people surroundings. Stress, diet, behavior, toxins and other factors influence epigenetics and determine which genes are expressed as time goes on. If humans understand how epigenetics work, they will be able to alter behaviors to express certain genes(1). For example, pregnant women tend to eat certain foods while they're pregnant in order to positively affect epigenomes in their children. Epigenetics are important because they are the cause of a verity of things such as mental illness and addiction. In order to positively affect epigenetics, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, eating healthy and exercising contributes to expressing certain epigenetics (1).
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| http://www.acupuncture.cc/genetics-epigenetics/ Epigenomes turn on and off genes like a lightswitch depending on surroundings such as nutrition, parenting and excersise. |
Humans edit and change their epigenomes without even realizing it. People influence these everyday without realizing it. Scientists are still trying to understand what actions turn on and off what genes. They can do this by placing identical twins in different environments and studying which genes are turned on and off as time progresses. By studying these twins scientists will record certain phenotypes that are expressed in individuals and compare them to that of their twin. As similar experiments occur over and over, scientists will have a better understanding of which epigenetics affect which genes. This process should work because twins start out with the same genes, so changes observed in individuals are due to epigenetics.
When scientists figure out what epigenomes affect certain phenotypes, they are experimenting with ways to edit these genes. This process is very dangerous, it is possible that vital genes will be turned on or off affecting other parts of the body. People are afraid to carry out this process because they believe it is ethically wrong to face the dangers of a failed experiment. Others believe that experimenting with this is nessassary for discovering ways to avoid certain desieses. This method could also be used to affect a varity of things if successfully completed which scientists cannot currently guarentee. It could possible slow the process of aging which is not the primary focus at the moment but still possible.
KJ has uncovered an extraordinary amount of information that will guide her through a successful carreer and fantastic life. She later grows up to become the most well known scientist and successfully clones her pet cat wolfie. She hopes you've enjoyed keeping up with her endeavors and continue to support her as she defys normal theorys one experiment at a time.
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