Serving epigenetics before its time

Juengst, Eric T.; Fishman, Jennifer R.; McGowan, Michelle L.; Settersten, Richard A.

doi:10.1016/j.tig.2014.08.001

Cited by 90 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…If the idea of epigenetic determinism is more clearly spelled out, as we have attempted to do in this paper, scientists may in turn be able to draw on this framework to be more explicit about the ways in which their work contributes to or subverts a deterministic frame. In addition, our contribution in this paper to an understanding of epigenetic determinism matters for science communication and public uptake of science, especially when analyzing the dissemination of epigenetic risk messages (Juengst et al, 2014). Activating the idea of epigenetic determinism may also add to growing conversations about the socially relevant outputs of epigenetics research and discourse (see Meloni and Testa, 2014).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, in thinking through a gendered lens about maternal epigenetic effects, we might envision challenges to the genetic code as immutable force, but instead we see “an expanded but still fully reductionist and determinate model of development” (Richardson, 2015). Messages about epigenetics risks also translate into prescriptive messages to prospective parents (Juengst, et al 2014), revealing an emergent “epigenetic biopolitics” (Mansfield, 2012) that may reify racialized and gendered notions of how genes are regulated through behavioral and environmental factors. Nevertheless, other scholars argue for a nuanced vision of epigenetics and its relationship to deterministic approaches in science and society.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epigenetic determinism in science and society

Waggoner

Uller

2015

New Genetics and Society

109

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The epigenetic “revolution” in science cuts across many disciplines, and it is now one of the fastest growing research areas in biology. Increasingly, claims are made that epigenetics research represents a move away from the genetic determinism that has been prominent both in biological research and in understandings of the impact of biology on society. We discuss to what extent an epigenetic framework actually supports these claims. We show that, in contrast to the received view, epigenetics research is often couched in language as deterministic as genetics research in both science and the popular press. We engage the rapidly emerging conversation about the impact of epigenetics on public discourse and scientific practice, and we contend that the notion of epigenetic determinism – or the belief that epigenetic mechanisms determine the expression of human traits and behaviors – matters for understandings of the influence of biology and society on population health.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic determinism in science and society

Waggoner

Uller

2015

New Genetics and Society

109

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“…Transposed to humans, such findings could lead to the identification of a set of ‘best practices’ a mother should adopt in order to promote the epigenetic health of her children. In response to such interpretations, Eric Juengst et al have rightly cautioned against ‘serving epigenetics before its time’59 , p. 426 —that is, against using mere murine models to draw premature conclusions regarding the duties of prospective human mothers.…”

Section: Further Limitations To Normative Claimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ambiguous nature of epigenetic responsibility

Dupras

Ravitsky

2016

J Med Ethics

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Over the past decade, epigenetic studies have been providing further evidence of the molecular interplay between gene expression and its health outcomes on one hand, and the physical and social environments in which individuals are conceived, born and live on the other. As knowledge of epigenetic programming expands, a growing body of literature in social sciences and humanities is exploring the implications of this new field of study for contemporary societies. Epigenetics has been mobilised to support political claims, for instance, with regard to collective obligations to address socio-environmental determinants of health. The idea of a moral 'epigenetic responsibility' has been proposed, meaning that individuals and/or governments should be accountable for the epigenetic programming of children and/or citizens. However, these discussions have largely overlooked important biological nuances and ambiguities inherent in the field of epigenetics. In this paper, we argue that the identification and assignment of moral epigenetic responsibilities should reflect the rich diversity and complexity of epigenetic mechanisms, and not rely solely on a gross comparison between epigenetics and genetics. More specifically, we explore how further investigation of the ambiguous notions of epigenetic normality and epigenetic plasticity should play a role in shaping this emerging debate.

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“…Compared with prevention strategies that attempt to alter above-the-skin systemic sources of environmental toxins, poor diets, and social stressors, shifting responsibility for genetic risk factors to the individuals who carry them may seem socially more efficient and effective, even if it is more burdensome for those subgroups (47). Thus, although neoliberal political thought celebrates individual choice and responsibility, there is also the potential for individual choice to slide into obligation, simultaneously relieving the broader society of the responsibility to care for and protect its citizenry (67).…”

Section: Screening Populations To Prevent Genomic Health Risksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precisely Where Are We Going? Charting the New Terrain of Precision Prevention

Meagher

McGowan

Settersten

et al. 2017

Annu. Rev. Genom. Hum. Genet.

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In addition to genetic data, precision medicine research gathers information about three factors that modulate gene expression: lifestyles ,environments, andcommunities.Therelevantresearchtools—epidemiology,environmental assessment, and socioeconomic analysis—are those of public health sciences rather than molecular biology. Because these methods are designed to support inferences and intervention sad dressing population health ,the aspirations of this research are expanding from individualized treatment toward precision prevention in public health .The purpose of this review is to explore the emerging goals and challenges of such a shift to help ensure that the genomics community and public policy makers understand the ethical issues at stake in embracing and pursuing precision prevention .Two emerging goals bear special attention in this regard: (a) public health risk reduction strategies, such as screening, and (b) the application of genomic variation studies to understand and reduce health disparities among population groups.

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Serving epigenetics before its time

Cited by 90 publications

References 5 publications

Epigenetic determinism in science and society

Epigenetic determinism in science and society

The ambiguous nature of epigenetic responsibility

Precisely Where Are We Going? Charting the New Terrain of Precision Prevention

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