Epigenetic 'memory' key to nature versus nurture

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council ^ | July 24, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

Food for thought ping.

[decimon]

Ping

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

If this report reflects reality imagine the effect of Television and computer games on young forming brains. Constant change will produce a brain that is unable to focus upon one thing. No wonder there has been a rise in hyperactivity.

[decimon]

If this report reflects reality imagine the effect of Television and computer games on young forming brains.

This is quite a concept. What exactly can be passed on to offspring?

[Lady Lucky]

Gays are switch hitters.

[Maelstorm]

Epigentic changes are most probably the key to nearly all adaptation. A lot of stock has been put into natural selection but the problem with it was the lack of a clear mechanism for feedback to fuel the selection engine. There has always been a good deal of evidence for Lamarkian type of inheritability. There has been a lot of evidence that points to the conservation of immunity and not just through transfer of mother’s antibodies through that clearly plays a role. One of the reasons epigentics is not widely discussed is because it muddies the waters of those who like their genes in nice neat packages. The idea of acquired traits through environmental feedback changes everything. It means our behaviors do make a difference in no only our genetic makeup but that of our children.

[decimon]

Gays are switch hitters.

This raises many questions and I think these researchers may have their hands full in fielding them.

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Thanks decimon. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[decimon]

I’m in way over my head here but this is the internet so that won’t stop me. ;-)

If I have this right then they propose no change to genetic makeup but rather to genetic utilization. If that makes any sense.

[blam]

This is interesting and believeable.

I do believe my parents experiences during the Great Depression has affected me. I always thought it was things I'd 'picked-up' from them during my childhood but that couldn't explain everything.

So...maybe?

[decimon]

So...maybe?

Maybe. I hope this story has legs cuz I'd like to see where it goes.

[FreeKeys]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting this.

[decimon]

You’re welcome.

[Salamander]

I am Spartacus Atavist!

[Domestic Church]

“Constant change will produce a brain that is unable to focus upon one thing. No wonder there has been a rise in hyperactivity”

Maybe autism is a natural response for the survival of the species under this constant flicker.

[grey_whiskers]

Maybe autism is a natural response for the survival of the species under this constant flicker.

How many autistic kids go on to breed?

Cheers!

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

Epigentic changes are most probably the key to nearly all adaptation.

The 'random mutation factor', caused by radiation or perhaps chemicals absorbed by the parent, has always been tough for me to embrace. Too many 'bad' mutations would crowd out the 'good' mutations, since only a percent of a percent of random mutations are helpful.

This new concept of the environment informing the DNA itself about desirable behavior and traits, if applied to humans, is analagous to a parent giving verbal advice to his/her sons and daughters. IOW, "Son, don't make the same mistake I made when I was young. Avoid certain types of people. Plan ahead for bad times. Etc."

The implications for evolutionary science are staggering. If proven to be true and pervasive, then Lamark will be vindicated to a degree. Just cutting off the tails of mice did not produce mice with no tails. But it may have produced mice with a strong aversion to shiny metallic objects! And people in white lab coats, LOL.
~:<)

A lot of stock has been put into natural selection but the problem with it was the lack of a clear mechanism for feedback to fuel the selection engine.

That appears to be changing! The next thing you know, scientists will discover that space is curved, there is no time, and the universe has no center.

[Fire_on_High]

I have to admit, that was my first thought as well.

OTOH, those on the low end of the “autism spectrum” seem to do smashingly well for themselves and have long term pairings, which would be the most beneficial situation for the species, no?

By that I mean the geeky, slightly strange sorts who tend towards being smart, frequently end up quite well off from endeavours in the technology fields, and attract a “boring”, bookish but extremely stable mate who was looking for similar traits. IOW, your typical traditional computer programmer, etc. Somewhat risk averse, willing and capable to intently focus on a goal even at the cost of repetitive, boring work, not very fussed at all about social standing or likely to fall into the “partying” trap.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

I do believe my parents experiences during the Great Depression has affected me. I always thought it was things I'd 'picked-up' from them during my childhood but that couldn't explain everything.

I recall that as a child, a casual comment by one of my parents or grandparents about their experiences often produced a clear image in my mind. Did I inherit my parents genetic memories?
This also has implications for shared racial memories and the Jungian shared primal sub-conscious mind.
I am currently reading the People of the Wolf series by Michael and Kathleen O'neil Gear. It's a narrative of human pre-history; the migration to the Americas via the vanished land bridge, and subsequent explorations and settlements.