Genes themselves have memories, swtiches

In summary, research has shown that genes can have memories and switches that can be turned on or off in one person's lifetime and passed on to their offspring. Some evidence for this includes correlations between grandparents who experienced famine and reduced life expectancy in their grandchildren, and people conceived through IVF being more likely to have Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. However, there is still a need for further studies and understanding of the mechanisms involved in gene manipulation. The use of IVF and other forms of gene manipulation also raises ethical questions about the potential long-term health impacts and the motives behind such practices.
  • #1
kant
388
0
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/ghostgenes.shtml


Genes themselves have memories, swtiches, that could be turned on or off in one person `s lifetime, and passed on to that person `s offsprings.

evidences are
1) grandparents that experienced famine, is correlated with reduced life expectancy of grandchildrens

2) People who are conceived by IVF experience are correlated with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome

what do you think about this?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
kant said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/ghostgenes.shtml


Genes themselves have memories, swtiches, that could be turned on or off in one person `s lifetime, and passed on to that person `s offsprings.

evidences are
1) grandparents that experienced famine, is correlated with reduced life expectancy of grandchildrens
This I would have to see studies on.

2) People who are conceived by IVF experience are correlated with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
There does seem to be some slight increase in occurence, but not overwhelming. Although the reasoning behind the "why" is feasable.

"A recent trend among in vitro fertilization practitioners may be exacerbating potential problems caused by the embryo culture. Traditionally, embryos are implanted into the mother after a day or so in culture, when the embryo has divided only a few times. In the past few years, more clinics have been growing eggs for about five days to a more advanced embryo known as a blastocyst in an effort to select the best and sturdiest embryos and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

"This could potentially be exposing the embryos even more to conditions that could have a long-term health impact," said John Eppig, senior staff scientist at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Scientists suspect that abnormalities may be more likely in cases of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in which sperm cells are injected directly into the egg. The procedure, pioneered in the 1990s, is used in cases of male sterility.

Some studies have suggested that rates of abnormalities may be higher in children conceived by this method because the mechanics of the procedure, or the immaturity of the injected sperm that are sometimes used, disrupt the delicate regulation of genes that takes place in a developing embryo."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/01/24/MN35978.DTL

People are having children that should not naturally be having children. And we are doing this because we "can" in order to make a lot of money, not because we understand "why, or the implications".
 
  • #3
I think about this article, and i wonder what precisely does it mean by the word "manipulation". You have manipulation in the sense than a grandparents stress level can actually trigger genes to go on or off, or the use of physical manipulation of the embryos could triggers those switches to turn on or off. what is the precise mechanism by which genes are turn on or off ?
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Are you trying to talk about creationism ?
 

Related to Genes themselves have memories, swtiches

1. How do genes have memories?

Genes themselves do not have memories in the traditional sense. They do not store memories like the human brain does. However, genes can carry information that can be passed down from generation to generation, which can be considered a type of "memory". This information can influence an individual's physical and behavioral traits.

2. What are gene switches?

Gene switches, also known as transcription factors, are proteins that bind to specific regions of DNA and control the expression of genes. These switches can turn genes on or off, regulating when and how much of a gene's product is produced. They play a crucial role in determining an organism's development and response to its environment.

3. How do gene switches work?

Gene switches work by binding to specific sequences of DNA, called enhancers or silencers, and recruiting other proteins that either activate or repress gene expression. These switches can be activated by external factors, such as hormones or environmental stimuli, and can also be influenced by other genes within the same organism.

4. Can gene switches be inherited?

Yes, gene switches can be inherited. These switches are a part of an individual's DNA sequence and can be passed down from parent to offspring. Changes or mutations in these switches can also be inherited and can lead to variations in gene expression and potentially impact an individual's traits and health.

5. How does epigenetics relate to gene switches?

Epigenetics is the study of how external factors can influence gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Gene switches play a significant role in epigenetics as they can be activated or repressed by external factors, leading to changes in gene expression. These changes can be passed down to future generations and can impact an individual's health and development.

Similar threads

Can Our Genes Be Changed? Exploring the Fascinating World of Epigenetics
    • Biology and Medical
Replies
3
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top