Environmental changes can make a big difference in how our genes work. This adds to the ongoing debate about how much of who we are comes from our genes (nature) and how much comes from our surroundings (nurture).
Epigenetics: This term refers to how outside factors can change the way our genes behave without changing the actual DNA. For example, things like what we eat, stress, and exposure to harmful substances can change how our genes are expressed. Studies suggest that up to 80% of how our genes work can be influenced by things in our environment.
Effects of Tough Environments: Research has found that kids who grow up in stressful situations can have changes in their stress-related genes. When kids are exposed to high levels of a hormone called cortisol during important growth stages, it can affect over 1,000 genes that relate to health later on.
Impact on Future Generations: What happens to us can also affect our children and even our grandchildren. Studies have shown that about 25% of the changes made to our genes by our environment may be passed down to future generations. This means that what parents experience can influence how their children’s genes work.
In short, while our genes give us a basic plan for who we are, changes in our environment can actively adjust that plan. This shows how nature and nurture work together in shaping who we become.
Environmental changes can make a big difference in how our genes work. This adds to the ongoing debate about how much of who we are comes from our genes (nature) and how much comes from our surroundings (nurture).
Epigenetics: This term refers to how outside factors can change the way our genes behave without changing the actual DNA. For example, things like what we eat, stress, and exposure to harmful substances can change how our genes are expressed. Studies suggest that up to 80% of how our genes work can be influenced by things in our environment.
Effects of Tough Environments: Research has found that kids who grow up in stressful situations can have changes in their stress-related genes. When kids are exposed to high levels of a hormone called cortisol during important growth stages, it can affect over 1,000 genes that relate to health later on.
Impact on Future Generations: What happens to us can also affect our children and even our grandchildren. Studies have shown that about 25% of the changes made to our genes by our environment may be passed down to future generations. This means that what parents experience can influence how their children’s genes work.
In short, while our genes give us a basic plan for who we are, changes in our environment can actively adjust that plan. This shows how nature and nurture work together in shaping who we become.