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I like the attitude, that we can't throw anything out completely if we're to be open to new learning...but let's categorize these effects as "epigenetics" broad

by 09bjb 9y ago

I like the attitude, that we can't throw anything out completely if we're to be open to new learning...but let's categorize these effects as "epigenetics" broadly and leave Lamarckism at rest :)

calibas 9y ago
Part of the problem is that it hasn't been laid to rest, it's still being taught as an example of an outdated and mistaken scientific theory, which has lead to a bias against epigenetics.
trendia 9y ago
But even epigenetics does not cover all of the ways that derived traits can be passed. For instance, prenatal testosterone levels affect the baby [0], yet those same levels may be affected by the mother's environment. Hence the environment may have effect on lifespring through means other than just epigenetics. [0] http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2015-09-23/masculine-face-linked-to-testosterone-levels-in-womb/6795422 http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2015-09-23/masculine-face...
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- toasterlovin 9y ago
  Prenatal testosterone can alter the baby's phenotype, but can it alter the baby's genotype? Something has to alter the baby's genotype (more specifically, the genes in germ line cells, which are the only cells whose genetic material gets passed on to offspring) in order to count as a method of heritability. Otherwise prenatal testosterone is the same as any other thing in the environment which can alter an organism's phenotype.
daemonk 9y ago
I feel like the term "epigenetics" takes on different definitions depending on context. The term can have two meanings depending which part of the term you emphasize. I think it is important to be pedantic here. EPI-genetics with an emphasis on "epi" really describes any mechanism that happens above the genotype level. Transcription factor binding is technically "epigenetic". It is a really broad term. Epi-GENETICS with an emphasis on "genetics" describes inheritance of information outside of the genetic information. This is probably the more interesting use of the term. It seems like most biologist use it as a catch-all term for methylation/histone modifications/polycomb-type mechanisms. All of these mechanisms are EPI-genetic, but not all have really been proven to be epi-GENETIC.

by 09bjb 9y ago

I like the attitude, that we can't throw anything out completely if we're to be open to new learning...but let's categorize these effects as "epigenetics" broadly and leave Lamarckism at rest :)

calibas 9y ago

Part of the problem is that it hasn't been laid to rest, it's still being taught as an example of an outdated and mistaken scientific theory, which has lead to a bias against epigenetics.

trendia 9y ago

But even epigenetics does not cover all of the ways that derived traits can be passed. For instance, prenatal testosterone levels affect the baby [0], yet those same levels may be affected by the mother's environment. Hence the environment may have effect on lifespring through means other than just epigenetics. [0] http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2015-09-23/masculine-face-linked-to-testosterone-levels-in-womb/6795422 http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2015-09-23/masculine-face...

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
toasterlovin 9y ago
Prenatal testosterone can alter the baby's phenotype, but can it alter the baby's genotype? Something has to alter the baby's genotype (more specifically, the genes in germ line cells, which are the only cells whose genetic material gets passed on to offspring) in order to count as a method of heritability. Otherwise prenatal testosterone is the same as any other thing in the environment which can alter an organism's phenotype.

daemonk 9y ago

I feel like the term "epigenetics" takes on different definitions depending on context. The term can have two meanings depending which part of the term you emphasize. I think it is important to be pedantic here. EPI-genetics with an emphasis on "epi" really describes any mechanism that happens above the genotype level. Transcription factor binding is technically "epigenetic". It is a really broad term. Epi-GENETICS with an emphasis on "genetics" describes inheritance of information outside of the genetic information. This is probably the more interesting use of the term. It seems like most biologist use it as a catch-all term for methylation/histone modifications/polycomb-type mechanisms. All of these mechanisms are EPI-genetic, but not all have really been proven to be epi-GENETIC.