The Gene Weaver

Clem Persaud, Ph.D.

One stunning discovery of this biotech century is the idea that DNA (nature) is not our master, that we can in fact influence our destiny by influencing the expression (nurture) of genes in our genome. The controls that regulate our gene expression are collectively called the epigenome, and the science is called epigenetics.

Thoughts, words, actions, emotions, stress, childhood abuse, diet and meditation have all been found to change gene behaviour, and thus our health and vulnerabilities. These changes can be transferred to our children and grandchildren, so therapists and researchers are eagerly pursuing ways of reversing unhealthy gene expressions. We are now on the threshold of leveraging this idea into action: by adopting a positive lifestyle, we can change our personal world one gene at a time.