In “Traumatizing your DNA: Researcher warns that it isn’t ‘all in the genes’” (Physorg, March 23, 2011), we learn,
Epigenetic research suggests that the effects of stress and environmental pollution can be passed on to future generations without any obvious change or mutation in our DNA. The problem, Prof. Jablonka points out, is that we have no idea of the extent these effects will have on the human genome of the future.
“I am a story teller. I read a lot of information and develop theories about evolution. For the last 25 years, before it became a fad, I was interested in the transmission of information not dependent on DNA variations,” Dr. Jablonka says. “Epigenetic inheritance is information about us that is not explicitly encoded in our genes. Two individuals may have identical genes, but the genes present very different characteristics. They can be genetically identical but different epigenetically.”
(Sure, but even identical twins aren’t identical.)
After reviewing the literature, she has found more than 100 examples of living organisms, from bacteria to human beings, demonstrating how our genes’ expression can be altered and inherited.
Note: By the way, did you know that 2008 was the Bicentenary of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, founder of the idea that genetic inheritance can be acquired during life? No, because it was drowned out by public worship of the Beard.
Chalk another one up to the triumphs of Darwinism.
And file this story under: Lamarck was right.