[E HISCOX <>]

E HISCOX <> asked the Naked Scientists:

   

We all know that genes affect how we act, but does how we act affect our genes?



CATHERINE HISCOX

What do you think?

[schneebfloob]

Yes. If your actions are damaging to DNA and mutagenic e.g. smoking. The damage done to the DNA can then lead to cancer

Your actions can also have an effect at the epigenetic level, and thus affect the expression of different genes. Diet and exercise are just two examples of lifestyle choices that can do this.

[evan_au]

One large-scale example of environment affecting our genes is the 1944 Dutch famine, during World War 2.
The occupying Nazi forces blocked food supplies from reaching the population.
Differences in birth weight and disease incidence was seen in the children and grandchildren of those who survived this event.
It is thought that epigenetic changes to the DNA may have caused this.