Ever hear of Epigenetics?

We know that genes and DNA are the reason for the way we look and even behave. Our genes are codes given to us at conception which determine all our physical characteristics, see and unseen. But, how is it that all our cells in every tissue contain the same DNA, even thought they look and function differently? Epigenetics is the answer. Epigenetics is responsible for cellular differentiation, gene expression, and what determines the appearance and function of a tissue. Epigenetics is also involved in tissue repair.

Can epigenetics be responsible diseases and cancer? Yes, such as when tissue repair is progressive or toxins are accumulated. Smoking can "turn off" longevity genes and "turn on" harmful genes, not just in the smoker, but in their offspring. This is another reason that smoking during pregnancy is such a bad idea.

The PBS program Nova conducted an interview with Dr. Jean-Pierre Issa, who does a much better job at explaining the mechanism of epigenetics and its relation to disease. DEEP stuff!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/epigenetic-therapy.html