Can Your Behavior Affect Your Genes? - David Shenk

Can the decisions you make influence your children's genetics? Maybe, according to emerging research. The Genius in All of Us author David Shenk introduces the field of epigenetics, which explores how environmental factors affect genetic expression.

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With irresistibly persuasive vigor, David Shenk, author of The Genius in All of Us, debunks the long-standing notion of genetic "giftedness."

Forget everything you think you know about genes, talent, and intelligence. In recent years, a mountain of scientific evidence has emerged suggesting a completely new paradigm: not talent scarcity, but latent talent abundance. Integrating cutting-edge research from a wide swath of disciplines—cognitive science, genetics, biology, child development—Shenk and The Genius in All of Us portrays a highly-optimistic new view of human potential. Genes are not a "blueprint" that doom some and bless others. Instead, genes are dynamic actors in a complex developmental process—dynamics that we can influence. - Commonwealth Club of California


Shenk's book The Immortal Game: A History of Chess (Doubleday, 2006), was hailed as "superb," by The Wall Street Journal, "fresh and fascinating" by The Chicago Sun-Times, "engaging" by The Washington Post, and "a thrilling tour" by Entertainment Weekly. Shenk speaks frequently on the history, biology and social urgency of Alzheimer's disease. He has also advised the President's Council on Bioethics on dementia-related issues.

Prior to that, Shenk published two books and dozens of essays on the emotional, social and political ramifications of the information revolution.

[THESocialJusticeWarrior]

I had a long argument with my high-school biology teacher back in the early 80s about environmental effects on genes. She said it was impossible and almost lowered my grade for arguing about it. Good to know I was right!

[marsCubed]

when I taught there was no problem with my best students, they already had their degree in the first year, they only had to do the work like filling in a form.
the students who I spent most of my time with, were equally as good. but they were quashed by their parents never being there.. not on open days, not in conversation.. sad kids.
family is not the point, . love and security is what makes ppl feel worthy.
think about yourself.
you have love in you life.. you shine like a diamond.

[marsCubed]

I subscribe to science journals (the cheap ones)
It is indisputable fact that genes which determine behaviour are activated in many cases by nurture.
A good example is the 'plague' of ADHD, it need not exist if kids are not stressed or exposed to poisons, .it s statistical fact.
This is not science but comes from my experience as a lecturer.
Students who were brilliant had parents come to my open days.
so sad and damaging for those who's parent's didn't.
It was like pain which lasted for weeks.

[gate]

Duuhhhh!!! this is what our ancestors and elders were teaching us...it is absolutly imperative that we teach our children what tha ancestors taught us

[ananiasacts]

When will Dr. Bronner's epigenomic fortification tonic and aftershave lotion be available?

[guroo_ghantaal]

Check Cole et al;, 2005, Genome Biology - Social regulation of gene expression!

[CameronCope]

this would imply that if one re-program oneself to act always in the best interest of all -to the point of self-perfection - that they would then pass this programming on to their offspring

[gate]

this dude is crackin me up...great vid

[sabotoged]

@prosvjeta - What does this have to do with evolution? However, this is a concept that is mentioned in many faiths, including Christianity & Judaism.

[sabotoged]

@edthewave - Hm, yes and no.

I think that they understood (or were taught) that spiritual laws are often the same as, and inter-connected to physical ones...

[McArrowni]

Decorator pattern for genes?

Does this make genetics object-oriented?

[edthewave]

@SopLusus you'd be surprised how many people don't know this yet. I think "epigenetics" will be a household word in less than 10 years.

[airventilation]

i wud like to see the proof for this, please and thank you

[TimmacTR]

on a long term though I doubt that epigenetics have such an important role..

basically it's important on the short-term, the first generation after you..

[TheGodlessGuitarist]

I see lots of people here jumping to all sorts of conclusions about this., let's not get carried away, eh folks? let's await sound scientific findings rather than assuming hanging by your feet produces tall children (OK i'm mocking a little).

[RadicalOne]

How behavior can affect genes accordingly is beyond me. Sure, many activities can put genes at risk of being modified, but modifying them to reinforce that behavior? It sounds far too Lamarckian to be valid...

Granted, I am not a geneticist nor a biologist, but I am not ignorant of the topic, either.

[ilSaponara]

Doesn't sound crazy or strange at all. If environment and behavior were not effecting genes, then how could evolution be possible?

[pinkthought]

55 comments 7 months 2 the following month...then 1, next month 1...then none ...none.... then 1.... mmmm.... where am I going with not sure. However.. my thoughts on the actual BEHAVIOUR - is it a gene based.... or thought based ... If it's thought based.... wow we have a lot of control.... we can enlighten people and change the world!!

[Ryanjelly]

@TheBluePianist it does sound crazy to him

[ubuibiok]

Then, the Environment you grew up in will, how you reacted to it will have an impact upon the following generations....Imagine then the impact upon Iraq and Afghan population 20, 40 years from now .