Inheritance

Résumé du livre

Sharon Moalem MD, PhD, is a scientist, physician and author who specializes in showing the world how evolution, genetics, biology and medicine work together. His books, including Survival of the Sickest and How Sex Works, have been translated into more than 20 languages.

DNA holds immense significance, drawing interest from industries beyond health, such as tobacco companies seeking to link addiction to genetics and corporations aiming to shift liability for injuries onto genetic predispositions. In the U.S., insurance companies adjust premiums based on genetic data, potentially burdening individuals with certain risks despite healthy lifestyles. However, understanding one’s genetic makeup empowers proactive health measures, as seen in Angelina Jolie’s preventive double mastectomy after identifying a BRCA1 mutation. Simple lifestyle changes, like reducing sun exposure and maintaining a nutritious diet, can further guard against genetic mutations. While it’s common to attribute actions to genetics, behaviors also influence genes, with activities like sunbathing or alcohol consumption increasing mutation risks, while foods like spinach can protect DNA. This interplay, known as epigenetics, reveals how life experiences, such as childhood trauma or prenatal conditions, can induce lasting genetic changes, even affecting future generations.

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