The Twilight of the Genetic Determinists: Your Children Appear to Be What You Eat

Comments

Charles, there was a fascinating NOVA documentary on this. "Ghost in Your Genes." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genes/

The part I recall best was about how famines suffered or bumper crops enjoyed in previous generations would affect the (mal)nutrition of generations much further down the line.

on July 31, 2012 at 9:10 AM

Speaking of children, Chuck,
Your ideal has been found: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/free…

You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me on July 31, 2012 at 9:27 AM

I'd like to see more studies of whether or not certain genetic diseases become more common after large-scale stressors such as famine, war or pollution events.

onion on July 31, 2012 at 10:31 AM

Charles, you are ignorant on this topic.

oxyala trio on July 31, 2012 at 10:34 AM

Charles,

Your review of Shapiro's book is the greatest gift you've given to your audience so far! Who knows...maybe we'll be having some Lysenko revivalism soon?

It never quite seemed right that so complex an information system as DNA was entirely a one way process...but then, they might call me an IDer.

Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on July 31, 2012 at 10:45 AM

So my child is a donut? Well, that explains why potty training was so hard.

TVDinner on July 31, 2012 at 11:20 AM

Very interesting article! And yes, it's not "all in the genes," by far. We've known this for a long time.

floater on July 31, 2012 at 11:27 AM

PBS / Nova did an excellent overview of epigenetics a few years ago that speaks to famines/droughts and the genetic implications, which led to the understanding of the phenomenon. don't know how to link:

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-ghost…

gracey on July 31, 2012 at 11:58 AM

@8 - thanks!

onion on July 31, 2012 at 3:11 PM