| When James Watson and Francis Crick first | | | | that you may be able to change the information flow |
| discovered the structure of DNA in 1953 they | | | | from DNA without actually changing the structure of |
| thought they had discovered the secret of life. This | | | | DNA. |
| complex nucleic acid was capable of storing all of the | | | | This idea has widespread ramifications. It is now |
| information necessary to produce and maintain a living | | | | thought that chronic diseases such as diabetes and |
| organism. The science of genetics was born and | | | | heart disease are not solely caused by genes but |
| moved toward a complete understanding of the | | | | also have a strong behavioral component. Information |
| gene culminating in the genome project which | | | | not only travels from DNA to cells but can also travel |
| mapped the human genome in 1993. | | | | back to DNA from outside sources. There is a |
| Our genes determine what our bodies look like and | | | | feedback loop of information flowing to and from |
| how they work. Even behavioral traits have been | | | | DNA. The system consists of more than a static |
| linked to our genes. Information is thought to flow | | | | one-way flow of information but is more holistic and |
| down a one way street; from the DNA wellspring to | | | | dynamic in nature involving feedback from the |
| cells to the rest of the body. This concept of | | | | organism. |
| one-way information flow is even called the central | | | | A practical implication of this concept is the feedback |
| dogma of biology. But are we really slaves to our | | | | from behaviors. For example, following a healthy |
| genes? | | | | lifestyle can not only provide benefits to your |
| Watson and Crick's monumental discovery was a | | | | wellbeing but these benefits can also be passed on |
| giant step in understanding the inner workings of life | | | | to your offspring. We have been touting the benefits |
| but it was not the whole story. The idea of a | | | | of following a healthy lifestyle for years but until |
| one-way flow of information is now changing with | | | | recently no one knew that actual genes could be |
| the new science of epigenetics. Epigenetics has to do | | | | turned on or off. |
| with changes in the function of genes without | | | | This opens up a whole new realm of thinking. In |
| changing DNA. In other words there may be a | | | | other words someone may have a gene for cancer |
| complex information system that affects the | | | | or heart disease but it is possible for that gene never |
| information flow from DNA to the cell without | | | | to be turned on. I personally find this information |
| affecting the DNA itself. This system is affected by | | | | hopeful in finding new ways to live a healthy life and |
| behavioral and environmental changes. This means | | | | to heal. We are not slaves to our genes after all. |