Epigenetics and Gene Expression
Every one of us has genetic predispositions. In other words, we have genes that, when activated, increase the likelihood of developing a specific physical or emotional disease. What genes we inherit are specifically determined by our parents and are influenced mostly by our ancestors going back seven generations. What is Epigenetics? Epigenetics is the study of how our environment and how we live our lives influence our gene expression. Many people believe they are destined to have a disease because their mom or dad had it, and live in fear of the potential to develop a certain disease. Many studies have shown that we have much more control of how our genes are expressed than ever imagined. John Cairns, a British molecular biologist, did research with bacteria and discovered that bacteria responded to changes in their environment by altering its DNA. His research is just some of the compelling evidence that our genes are either turned on or off depending on our diet, emotional state,