“You could compare the distinction between genetics and epigenetics to the difference between writing a book and reading it.”

“This process, known as epigenetics, involves the addition of small chemical tags known as methyl groups to the DNA double helix.”

“Michael Meaney and Moshe Szyf are leaders in the burgeoning field of epigenetics, which explains how environment and experience affect our genes.”

“He did not assume that an inert and common matter was sufficient for a plausible formulation of a theory of mechanical epigenesis.”

“Chapter 5 introduces their role in development, concluding that epigenesis is really, really complicated.”

“The contrary view to epigenesis, namely that the embryo was preformed from the beginning, was championed anew in the late 17th century.”

“The EpiMark family of products will help to achieve this, as well as help to further our understanding of the role of 5-hmC in the epigenome.”

“And, in a more sinister twist, it is often the epigenome of a cancer cell that makes its daughters cancerous, too.”

“That is because the epigenome mediates environmental influences on gene expression, and so lies at the interface between nature and nurture. This could explain how stress and toxic chemicals affect susceptibility to diseases.”