We are not Islands but Creatures influenced by our Environment

June 20, 2012

Illustration of the central dogma of biology: information transfer between DNA, RNA, and protein (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dr Mercola says that believing in the central dogma of biology that information flows in only one direction from DNA to RNA to Protein building, leads to a belief that we are predetermined to diseases. This of course is now known to be false. Epigenetics shows us our genes are changing how they are expressed from influences outside the cell and even outside the body. We are creatures very much influenced by our environment. As our environment changes, so do we.

Central dogma concepts map (toddhorn3.typepad.com)
Ex. 2 Central Dogma of Biology (torahgen.wordpress.com)
Falling for This Myth Could Give You Cancer (articles.mercola.com)
We are NOT DNA Predetermined but Environmentally Predetermined (georgefebish.wordpress.com)
Our Environment can allow Tumors to grow or fight them (georgefebish.wordpress.com)
Identical twins show the malleability of our genes (newscientist.com)
Methylating Your Muscle DNA (3quarksdaily.com)
RNA breakthrough transforms idea of gene control (newscientist.com)

Torah Gen
Jun 20, 2012 @ 09:39:08

I thought I would add the note that reverse transcriptase facilitates the transcription of DNA from an RNA template. This is in reverse of the central dogma. I have yet to see DNA or RNA be synthesized from the structure of a protein. Additionally, the article referenced mentions andexperiment with bacteria that can not metabolize lactose suddenly gaining this ability. Unfortunately the article is not specific on the details. Commonly the experiment is done with a nonfunctional form of the lactase gene that acquires random mutations in a low proportion that leads to functional lactase.

georgefebish
Jun 20, 2012 @ 09:50:17

Thank you for your insight and knowledge on this subject

gold price
Jul 02, 2012 @ 09:50:16

Meet the Epigenome The answer lies beyond both nature and nurture. Bygren’s data — along with those of many other scientists working separately over the past 20 years — have given birth to a new science called epigenetics. At its most basic, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation. These patterns of gene expression are governed by the cellular material — the epigenome — that sits on top of the genome, just outside it (hence the prefix epi-, which means above). It is these epigenetic “marks” that tell your genes to switch on or off, to speak loudly or whisper. It is through epigenetic marks that environmental factors like diet, stress and prenatal nutrition can make an imprint on genes that is passed from one generation to the next.

Science or Science Fiction? « The Epigenetics Project Blog
Jul 03, 2012 @ 08:01:33