Changing genes – the impact of the environment on genetics.

S – Social Perspective: Genes Are Not Fixed – Lifestyle Changes Them

For many years, people considered genetic information to be unchangeable — a "code of destiny" that remains stable from birth to the last breath. But this view is now considered outdated in science. Environment, lifestyle, psychological state, and social factors — all of these can influence gene expression.

This means that if the genetic code is a book, then the environment is the reader who decides which pages will be read.

Two people smoke: one develops lung cancer, the other does not.
Two sisters grow up in the same family: one has diabetes, the other is healthy.
Two children carry the same genetic mutation: one gets sick, the other remains well.
Why? The answer lies in epigenetics and environmental influence.

People need to understand that while daily habits, emotions, and environmental conditions may not change their genes, they do change how those genes function. And this understanding brings responsibility. The excuse “it’s in my genes” is no longer full justification.

A – Academic Perspective: The Difference Between Genetics and Epigenetics

Let’s clarify the basic concepts:

What is Genetics?
Genetics is the study of the structure and transmission of hereditary material (DNA). The sequence of DNA bases (A, T, G, C) encodes genes, which are the foundation of proteins and body functions.

What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. In other words, the DNA stays the same, but which genes are "turned on" or "off" is influenced by the environment.

What are Epigenetic Factors?

• Nutrition

• Stress

• Air pollution

• Sleep deprivation

• Physical activity

• Chemical exposure

• Emotional trauma

These factors affect gene function through mechanisms like methylation, acetylation, and histone modification.

Example:
The BRCA1 gene increases the risk of breast cancer in some women, but whether this gene becomes active may depend on lifestyle choices.

I – Social Viewpoint: Are Genes an Excuse or a Mirror?

Many people attribute their health issues to "genetics." But if we view genes not as a life sentence but as a list of possibilities, we take on more responsibility.

• Saying “My father had diabetes” while eating sugar every day

• Saying “We have nervous problems in our family” and avoiding therapy

• Saying “Everyone forgets things when they get old” and not stimulating the brain

These are passive acceptances of genetic reality. But science tells us:

• If diet changes, metabolic genes express differently.

• If physical activity increases, heart-protecting genes become active.

• Meditation and breathing techniques reduce stress hormones and influence gene expression.

Society must realize: our genetic code doesn’t change, but its “voice” can grow louder or quieter. That voice is controlled by our surroundings — and by us.

T – Research Perspective: How Environment Alters Gene Expression

Recent epigenetic studies have drastically changed our understanding of genetics. Here are some key findings:

1. Mother and Child Nutrition
   Harvard and Stanford studies show that both prenatal and early childhood nutrition impact a child’s DNA methylation map — influencing future risk for obesity, allergies, or mental disorders.

2. Inherited Stress and Trauma
   Epigenetic changes related to stress sensitivity have been observed in the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. This means trauma can be passed down — not through genes, but through gene expression!

3. Smoking and Air Pollution
   In smokers, DNA methylation in certain gene regions is disrupted, weakening the immune system, increasing cancer risk, and damaging detox mechanisms.

4. Exercise and Gene Activation
   During physical activity, gene expression changes in skeletal muscles, improving metabolic health and insulin sensitivity.

5. Inner Peace and Brain Genes
   Meditation, breathing exercises, and positive thinking increase the expression of the BDNF gene (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), enhancing memory, learning, and emotional resilience.

Conclusion: DNA Is Not Destiny – The Way We Read It Can Change

Our genes are the book given to us at birth. But which pages we read is determined by us and our environment.

Today, science clearly proves:

• Genetic inheritance is fixed, but its expression is flexible.

• Lifestyle, environment, and emotions influence epigenetic regulation.

• We must approach our genes with awareness, responsibility, and intention.

This is both hopeful and a call to action:
We should not hide behind our genes — we should grow through them.