Until recently, the influences of genes were thought to be set, and the effects of children’s experiences and environments on brain architecture and long-term physical and mental health outcomes remained a mystery. Correcting Popular Misrepresentations of Science This explains why genetically identical twins can exhibit different behaviors, skills, health, and achievement. This collection of chemical marks is known as the “ epigenome.” The different experiences children have rearrange those chemical marks. This in-depth working paper explains how genes and the environment interact, and gives recommendations for ways that caregivers and policymakers can effectively respond to the science.ĭuring development, the DNA that makes up our genes accumulates chemical marks that determine how much or little of the genes is expressed. Working Paper 10: Early Experiences Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development Learn more about the physical and chemical processes that take place as part of the creation of the epigenome. Nurture is no longer a debate-it’s nearly always both! More Information on Epigenetics Thus, the old ideas that genes are “set in stone” or that they alone determine development have been disproven. In fact, scientists have discovered that early experiences can determine how genes are turned on and off and even whether some are expressed at all. New scientific research shows that environmental influences can actually affect whether and how genes are expressed.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |