It's NOT Your Genes That Control Your Health

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It's NOT Your Genes That Control Your Health

 

 

As scientists continue to study the human genome, it looks more and

more like DNA is not destiny.

 

The " Epigenome " Reacts to the Environment

 

The " epigenome, " a layer of biochemical processes that turn genes on

and off, plays an enormous role in heredity and health. Researchers

believe that by mapping the epigenome, they can better predict and

treat disease.

 

The epigenome is passed from parents to children, but changes

according to environment, and is one reason that " identical " twins can

be so different.

 

Could Advance Knowledge of Diseases

 

Some human cancers have already been connected with epigenetic

changes. The same could be done for other diseases, which would

further our understanding of the environmental aspects of health.

 

More Difficult to Map Than Genes Themselves

 

Mapping the epigenome will be difficult, since not only does it change

over time, but it differs in every major cell type, of which there are

several hundred.

 

" We are well under 1 percent finished; 1 percent would be a massive

overstatement, " said John Stamatoyannopoulos, who founded the

biopharmaceutical company Regulome. " But, ultimately, this type of

knowledge will revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat disease. "

 

Wired August 16, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Genes have been blamed for all sorts of medical difficulties patients

face when, in fact, it is the genes' expression that really counts.

The study of epigenomes, which regulate your genetic expression,

continues to give further support to this.

 

One of the main reasons scientists search for a genetic basis for

disease is so they can develop an expensive drug or therapy to sell

you that will generate enormous profits for one of the multi-national

drug companies. It is my firm belief that the influence of genes on

your health has been exaggerated.

 

I'm not saying that genetics play no role whatsoever, but our genes

are merely dumb storage facilities that do very little to influence

our health. Otherwise, you'd be helpless to do anything about your

health, which, of course, isn't true at all.

 

In fact, your environment and your lifestyle choices have great

influence on the expression of your genes, which is why healthy

choices are the key to a long and satisfying life, rather than just

the luck of the draw.

 

 

 

Related Articles:

 

How Many Genes Do You Have?

 

Rough Draft of Human Genome Completed

 

Genes May Explain Why a Low-Cal Diet Extends Life