Updated March 20, 2022

Epigenetics, a relatively new concept, turns genetics on its head. This line of research has shown that genes are modulated by environmental factors, and that this information is transmitted to our offspring through molecules separate from genes, called “epigenes”.  A simple metaphor is that genes are the library of all information, and that the epigenes direct which book is opened to handle a specific situation, such as a nutritional deficiency, environmental toxin, or other stressor.   This article summarizes the concept and will be expanded as this page develops.

The epigenetic lorax- gene–environment interactions in human health.2012