Today, the staff at the Center was given a wonderful and thoughtful presentation by Greg Dunn and Chris Morgan of U. Penn on Epigentics. “What is epigenetics?”, I thought to myself when I heard they were coming to present? The term itself seemed complicated and overly scientific. After an hour or so with the two of them, not only does the term make sense, but it conjures up questions, ideas, and it feels like something that needs to be explored and understood as we move forward.
The skinny on Epigenetics according to Greg and Chris is that our genes are the “hardware” and epigenetics are the “software” of our makeup (think computers). A formal definition of epigenetics tells us that it is, “a heritable change in gene expression that is not due to changes in DNA sequence.” Essentially, through three main areas (learning/experience, in utero exposure, and integration into germline) we become programmed. Does this mean that a person who experiences trauma via any of these three areas is destined to live a life of PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders? While Greg and Chris explained that epigenetics is the biological “underpinning” of our emotional states, they also explained that ALL IS NOT LOST. Just as we have this biological underpinning that often dictates our emotional states, we also have the ability to relearn, rewire, reconnect and rework our software. By creating enriched environments that promote restoration and adaptation, individuals (like the lab mice that epigenetics researchers have explored and explained) have the potential not only to improve, but to THRIVE.
So the question in the end, as posed by Greg and Chris, is to what extent is this biological underpinning cemented, and to what extent can it be changed? Genes are the nature of a human, but epigenetic programming reflects that person’s environmental experiences. In the classic debate of nature versus nurture, the reality of the human condition is that we all are impacted by a combination of both factors. Greg and Chris point out that this allows for flexibility in creating meaningful, sustainable and rehabilitative interventions. Where do we begin? First of all, we just begin. So many times we watch people get knocked down, punished by life’s bitter betrayals and not know what steps to take or what path to follow. Relationships. Relationships. Relationships. As humans we are wired to connect and at this point most of us understand this from multiple perspectives. However, it seems as though we still believe that some people are just bad, morally flawed, or incapable of living life on life’s terms and playing by certain societal rules. Simply untrue and extremely defeatist as I see it…as SCIENCE sees it.
Through softening up the software and rewiring some hardware problems (think defenses that worked well for a period of time and ceased working at all or too much flight/fight response for balanced behavior) people change. The makeup and the biology change and in turn the effect trickles down to the communities, families and future generations of these individuals whom some have deemed “doomed” and “damaged”. One thing is glaringly clear though and that is, a person can’t change alone and without support structures in place.
In short we can all make a difference in the lives of each other. This isn’t meant to be played individually or plagued by isolation and alienation. We pick each other up and we help rebuild, reshape and remotivate the people who need support. Epigenetics research proves that the art of healing the hurt is done by creating sustainable and enriching environments for people that have been hurt. This is feasible and more than that…it’s necessary and hardware changing for ALL OF US.
Epigenetically mindful,
Jake