"DNA Is Not Destiny"

beebuddy · Post by **beebuddy** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:10 am

http://www.discover.com/issues/nov-06/cover/

A really interesting article.

Cory Duchesne · Post by **Cory Duchesne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:24 am

It amazes me how some people need scientific proof to believe that environment has an effect on the development of an organism.

Epigenetics is proving we have some responsibility for the integrity of our genome," Jirtle says. "Before, genes predetermined outcomes. Now everything we doâ€”everything we eat or smokeâ€”can affect our gene expression and that of future generations. Epigenetics introduces the concept of free will into our idea of genetics."

I don't see how being clear minded enough to see the obvious, that the environment effects gene expression, is an experssion of free will.

beebuddy · Post by **beebuddy** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:36 am

Right over your head, as usual.

Cory Duchesne · Post by **Cory Duchesne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:44 am

beebuddy: Right over your head, as usual.

An unwillinginess to engage in debate, as usual.

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I might also add that it is incorrect to conclude - "DNA is not destiny".

More accurately stated: "DNA does not determine our destiny to the extent that some prefer to believe"

If am born down-syndrome, I'd say that DNA determines my destinty to a pretty large degree.

beebuddy · Post by **beebuddy** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:54 am

Just a lack of interest mate.

sschaula · Post by **sschaula** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:49 pm

Mate?! USA?!?!

Anyway, it's good to see science generally catching up to some common sense theories.

Matt Gregory · Post by **Matt Gregory** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:31 pm

The DNA in every cell is tightly wound around proteins known as histones and must be unwound to be transcribed. Alterations to this packaging cause certain genes to be more or less available to the cell's chemical machinery and so determine whether those genes are expressed or silenced.

All genes are equal and should be allowed to express themselves freely without fear of exploitation by the bourgeois scientists.

NLPRN · Post by **NLPRN** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 2:44 pm

Cory Duchesne wrote:It amazes me how some people need scientific proof to believe that environment has an effect on the development of an organism.

Agreed. As accurate as science can at times be, it is frequently the cynical tortoise following the common-sense hare. It gets there eventually.