photo by: jurvetson
Epigenetics is an emerging science which is based on the idea that environmental triggers can cause an organisms genes to behave differently by turning them on or off. A good example is that of smoking and cancer; many have the genetic possibility for developing cancer but this possibility combined with carcinogens greatly increases the probability that one will be diagnosed with cancer. I first heard about epigenetics on this segment of NOVA Science Now and was further validated in my stance against chemicals. I have thought a little about the implications that epigenetics could have on development through gene/environment interface and fell that neurotoxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disrupters should be avoided to the extent possible during gestation and while breastfeeding.
photo by: meemal
It seems that the Canadian Government shares my concerns and has set out to do a 5 year study, Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals, which will follow mothers from the fist trimester to 8 weeks after birth and assess biological markers of environmental chemicals through blood, urine, hair, breast milk, and meconium (this process is know as biomonitoring). This will add to the relatively little, yet growing, research on chemicals and their effect on development.
