[lightman]

Environment?

Heredity isn’t everything.

[GodGunsGuts]

Don’t have my ping list handy. Any of you guys happen to have a ping list handy?

All the best—GGG

[Valkyrie927]

I work in a cancer research lab and we do a lot of epigenetics work! Thanks for posting this it is a good, informative read!

Ping

[krb]

Not exactly the same thing, but definitely related:

http://www.embeddedexcellence.com/vid/Ghost.avi

[GOPJ]

As you get older, who you are gets written on your face.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Epigenetics. Every cell in your body has the same DNA blueprint, but there are vast differences between a neuron and a cardiac muscle cell and a white blood cell etc. The differences are explained in part by which of the genes in the DNA blueprint are read and expressed in these different cell types. Chemical modifications of DNA and of the proteins that interact with DNA are major determinants of which genes are read and expressed, and these chemical modifications can be altered/affected by environmental exposures.

[Toddsterpatriot]

(ever wonder why genetic twins look progressively different over time?)

Because creationism predicted they would.

[Kirkwood]

Lots of reasons... environmental stresses (weather, sun exposure, work activity), physiological stresses (sickness, exposure to toxins, epigenetics, etc.

[TASMANIANRED]

bookmark

[freespirited]

This raises the question: if two people can have identical DNA sequences and yet be so different

I wouldn't describe identical twins as "so different."

It's lost on me why the author thinks it is news that a variety of factors affect gene expression.

[Mogwai]

Funny thing, with epigenetics, maybe Lamarckianism looks to be vindicated in a very limited, highly qualified way, after all.

And another funny thing, there was a lot of tasty scientific goodness in that article without much fundamentalist preaching! I sure hope the good people at CMI are feeling well.

[Liberty Valance]

Don't forget. I get to wear the watch on Thanksgiving.

[Darwin Fish]

Simply explained with creationism.

[Myrddin]

Grab a copy of the "Genotype Diet" by Peter D'Adamo. His prior books aim dietary "avoids" and "recommended" foods based on blood type. Blood type mirror the antigenic type of all cells in the body. It turns out that his approach was good, but has been greatly improved. The missing link is "epigenetics". The blood type is fixed by genetics, but many other characteristics are sensitive to the developing environment between fertilization and birth. Hormone and nutritional impacts from the mother's body are reflected in the development of the baby. The reason fingerprints are unique is that they are a running "log" of impacts caused by hormones and nutritional input. The ratio of upper leg to lower leg, leg to torso, relative finger lengths (ring finger vs index finger), left/right symmetry, jaw shape and tooth characteristics. D'Adamo roughly categorizes 6 general "genotypes". Hunter, Explorer, Teacher, Gatherer, Warrior and Nomad. You can quickly shuffle into part of the description by blood type. From that point, you have to resort to measuring body characteristics to whittle down to the "correct" genotype. Once determined, there are food and exercise recommendations consistent with the identified genotype.

The upshot is that epigenetics plays a big part in shaping the individual beyond the initial genetic constitution.

[Buck W.]

Evolution and Christianity are perfectly compatible.

[GodGunsGuts]

There, that’s better :o)

[Caramelgal]

Identical Twins' DNA Varies

Identical twins apparently do not have identical DNA.

[Popman]

Bookmark

[OldNavyVet]

Mutations happen ... and identical organisms will shortly evolve into not so identical beings.