Can Your Environment Affect Your DNA? | Epigenetics Explained

Did you know that your environment and lived experiences can actually affect your DNA? Welcome to the world of epigenetics! In this fun episode of SciShow, Hank & his clone Circus Hank explain the power of epigenetics, which studies the factors that determine how much or whether some genes are expressed in your body. Let's go!

More SciShow!

[phantomstrider]

I actually think this is uplifting rather than depressing. If you choose to have offspring, you can make decisions now that give your descendants a potentially better life. Exercise regularly and eat right? Your kids might be more likely to do that, regardless of your original genetics.

[AndImTheBlondie]

Why am I not learning this in high school? This is the most interesting thing I've learned all week (but it's only Tuesday so)

[lucyvass]

This video explained epigenetics better to me than a lecturer who talked on it for an hour and that I pay 9 grand a year for. The Sci show is such an amazing resource, keep it up!

[DarkSparkCannabis]

This was the best description of Epigenetics I've seen, thanks for making this.

[brittanypryceLCSWCADCIIIYFI]

I love these videos. I'm a substance abuse counselor and psychotherapist - I show your videos all the time to my client groups to explain complex issues linked to mental health and substance use issues.
Thank you for making these videos.
Greatly appreciated.

[deep_fried_analysis]

These older videos are just so more relaxed!

[xxxxfatcatxxxx]

"Normally your parents wouldn't actually do that"
Tell it to my juggling and unicycle riding skills.

[jonathonsawyer]

Hank describing pregnancy was just beautiful :D

[philliparnesen]

Wow. Going to research this. But this feels like some really strong motivation to start changing my lifestyle. It won't just be superficial changes it can actually effect my genetic expression. Kind of horrible to think that parents actually have a genetic responsibility toward their children now. Glad I don't smoke or drink, but I am lazy and bad-ish diet (I hop between junk food and really green almost vegan meals).

[innate-videos]

Your lectures are always GREAT! You make the dryest subjects interesting and, more to the point, very informative! Thank you!

[Shenruss]

Also, THIS explains why GOTEN was so much stronger at a younger age than GOHAN! Goku was _Already_ a *Super Saiyan 2* when he was conceived!

[TipoQueTocaelPiano]

This is exciting. I discovered epigenetics few months ago and since then I can't stop thinking about it.

[rickseiden]

So, based on the Sweden study, it's possible that our obesity epidemic could be caused by the Great Depression.  The people who lived through it would have had much more than they were used to when it was all over, so they ate more. And that got passed down to our parents and to us.  I'm going with that. It's all my grandfather's fault!

[zelenplav]

Hugs, not drugs. Hugging your children, and cuddling your babies, and breast feeding, and having good nutrition while pregnant, treated well, not stressed out, creates better offsprings. Staying home if you don't have to work. Raise your own children.

[Mazaroth]

"Here is where i keep my genetics"

*Opens a fridge stockpiled on junkfood and other shit*

[themilestudios]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO! I've always loved genetics and biology, but I never knew how cells figured out What 'type' of cell they were... since after all, all cells (omitting gametes) have the same genomic makeup. Now I get that it's the Methyl groups and histones that do this!

[Eniroth]

I live in norrbotten, sweden. It's not all bad you know, wish there'd be less mosquitoes though.

[wouldntyouliketoknowweathe]

"I hope I don't get pregnant" hANK

[jodyfuller]

I love Hank so much. He has helped me through high school and now through college as a science major. Like for real, is there anything that this man does not know? Not to mention he "dumbs things down" in a way I can understand. So when I go back and do hard readings, I am actually able to know what they're talking about. Thank you Hank. Keep doing you buddy.

[andreagarris]

Great video! I homeschool my children and we have been studying Epigenetics. Your video is the best one we have seen so far! It's so well made and easy to understand! Thank you for creating it!!:)