from koppermoon: Epigenetics?

[winterlion]

quote and links from koppermoon. Oh this is absolutely FASCINATING!!!!!

In which we get a little further away from genetic determinism...

Quote: The traditional idea that we are the passive carriers of our genes is being challenged by the notion that we are their custodians.
Read more here.

I like the idea that personal responsibility matters. What do y'all think of this?

Comments

[surrey-sucks.livejournal.com]

Interesting, but people will probably start blaming their behavior on their genes.

But it may that be that smoking, for example, alters the activity of genes in lung cells.

Smokers have a choice, but unfortunately, non-smokers don't, and have to breathe in all that crap and become sick.

[winterlion.livejournal.com]

Actually the point to the news story is that behaviour alters genes.... which is to say that there's no excuse for bad behaviour.

people have been trying to blame their genes as long as there has been knowledge of genes... and before that it was "blaming the blood" or the like.

smoke and die. I'm thinking of making a Tshirt.

rambling rant

[surrey-sucks.livejournal.com]

I think both your genes and your environment play a role in who you are (although their is no excuse for bad behaviour).

One thing that I have always had a problem with though is the theory that if you have an alcoholic parent, you are likely to become an alcoholic because you are genetically predisposed. I strongly disagree with that, because what that is saying is, it's not my choice if I become an alcoholic, it's in my genes, and there's nothing I can do about that. I'm intelligent enough to make the choice to drink or not, not my genes. However, if the theory was that you are likely to become an alcoholic if your parents are, because you've observed their behaviour, I can understand that. I don't like that sentiment either though, because I want to be in control of my decisions, but at least it's not blaming it on the genes.

Your t-shirt should say: Smoke and die

[rev3.livejournal.com]

Wow dude! That's heavy!

It explains alot. Sweet!