The Developing Genome: An Introduction to Behavioral Epigenetics
- ISBN-10
- 0199922357
- ISBN-13
- 9780199922352
- Category
- Psychology
- Pages
- 272
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2015-01-29
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Author
- David S. Moore
Description
Why do we grow up to look, act, and feel as we do? Through most of the twentieth century, scientists and laypeople answered this question by referring to two factors alone: our experiences and our genes. But recent discoveries about how genes work have revealed a new way to understand the developmental origins of our characteristics. These discoveries have emerged from the new science of behavioral epigenetics--and just as the whole world has now heard of DNA, "epigenetics" will be a household word in the near future. Behavioral epigenetics is important because it explains how our experiences get under our skin and influence the activity of our genes. Because of breakthroughs in this field, we now know that the genes we're born with don't determine if we'll end up easily stressed, likely to fall ill with cancer, or possessed of a powerful intellect. Instead, what matters is what our genes do. And because research in behavioral epigenetics has shown that our experiences influence how our genes function, this work has changed how scientists think about nature, nurture, and human development. Diets, environmental toxins, parenting styles, and other environmental factors all influence genetic activity through epigenetic mechanisms; this discovery has the potential to alter how doctors treat diseases, and to change how mental health professionals treat conditions from schizophrenia to post-traumatic stress disorder. These advances could also force a reworking of the theory of evolution that dominated twentieth-century biology, and even change how we think about human nature itself. In spite of the importance of this research, behavioral epigenetics is still relatively unknown to non-biologists. The Developing Genome is an introduction to this exciting new discipline; it will allow readers without a background in biology to learn about this work and its revolutionary implications.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2015-03-02
- 320 pages
- Ebook
- Oxford University Press
-
- 2015
- 308 pages
- Paperback
- Oxford University Press, USA
Similar books
-
The Developing Genome: An Introduction to Behavioral Epigenetics
The Developing Genome is an introduction to this exciting new discipline; it will allow readers without a background in biology to learn about this work and its revolutionary implications.
-
The Eukaryote Genome in Development and Evolution
By John BernardRubin, G. M., M. G. Kidwell & P. M. Bingham 1982. The molecular basis of P-M hybrid dysgenesis: the nature of induced mutations. Cell 29, 987–94. Rubin, G. M., T. Hazelrigg, R. E. Karess, F. A. Laski, T. Laverty, R. Levis, D. C. Rio, ...
-
Evolution, Development, and the Predictable Genome
By David L. SternFor too long, efforts to synthesize evolution and development have failed to build a united view of the origins and evolution of biological diversity. In this groundbreaking book, David Stern...
-
The Dependent Gene: The Fallacy of "Nature Vs. Nurture"
By David S. MooreProvides an analysis of the nature vs. nuture debate, arguing for an end to the "either/or" nature of the discussions in favor of a recognition that environmental and genetic factors interact throughout life to form human traits.
-
Welcome to the Genome: A User's Guide to the Genetic Past, Present, and Future
By Robert DeSalle, Michael YudellThis unique guide addresses both the science of genomics and the ethical, moral, and social questions that rise from the technology. There have been many exciting developments in genomics since this book's first publication.
-
The Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology Is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease, and Inheritance
By Nessa CareyTaylor and Jones (1979), Cell 17: 771–779. 4. Jones (2011), Nature Cell Biology 13: 2. 5. Jones and Taylor (1980), Cell 20: 85–93. 6. Santi et al. (1983), Cell 33:9–10. 7. Ghoshal et al. (2005), Molecular and Cellular Biology 25: ...
-
Genomic Control Process: Development and Evolution
By Eric H. Davidson, Isabelle PeterRojas, A., Schachterle, W., Xu, S.M., Martín, F., Black, B.L., 2010. Direct transcriptional regulation of Gata4 during early endoderm specification is controlled by FoxA2 binding to an intronic enhancer. Dev. Biol. 346, 346–355.
-
Evolution in Four Dimensions, revised edition: Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life
By Eva Jablonka, Marion J. LambThis new edition of the widely read Evolution in Four Dimensions has been revised to reflect the spate of new discoveries in biology since the book was first published in 2005, offering corrections, an updated bibliography, and a ...
-
The Dynamic Genome and Mental Health: The Role of Genes and Environments in Youth Development
By Kenneth S. Kendler, Daniel Romer, Sara JaffeeThis volume contains the latest theories and evidence about the highly dynamic inter-relation between genes and environments as they influence the development, mental health and substance use of adolescents.
-
The Deeper Genome: Why There Is More to the Human Genome Than Meets the Eye
By John ParringtonJohn Parrington describes an emerging picture of our genome, in 3D, with many non-gene players and environmental influences, that is far more complex and subtle than we ever imagined.