A Ghost in Your Genes? « Health « Mixed Bag « iPentimento

A Ghost in Your Genes?

Posted on November 23rd, 2007 by Carol

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I watched a totally fascinating show on Nova this week called Ghost in Your Genes. Here is just a small excerpt from the website.

The program closes at the controversial cutting edge of this burgeoning new field. At the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, researchers are investigating epigenetic means to treat a deadly form of leukemia (see Epigenetic Therapy). In Washington State, a researcher finds that a toxin given to rats still affects their offspring four generations later, without producing any changes in their genes. And in Sweden, a study of historical records seems to show that the lifespan of grandchildren is affected by their grandparents’ access to food.

That last statement really caught my attention, partly because both sets of my maternal great grandparents were from Sweden, and because I have always wondered if having fibromyalgia is something genetic.

Beyond that, it really makes you think about what we do to our bodies in the name of “enjoyment” (like smoking) and how it could affect our descendants. When I work on genealogy for my family and my husbands, it is inevitable that I will run across the cause of death or a chronic condition. After watching Ghost in Your Genes, I will not only be looking for names, dates and locations, I will also be aware of other conditions that could have affected our ancestor’s health like famine.

I don’t work for PBS or anything, so this isn’t a referral, other than an informational one. Here are some links you might find helpful:

Watch a preview of the program

Read the transcript of the program

Buy the video

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Filed under: Health

11 Responses to “A Ghost in Your Genes?”

Ivan (1 comments.), on November 29th, 2007 at 2:57 AM Said:

Hi, my name is disman-kl, i like your site and i ll be back
Chris in Oxford (2 comments.), on November 30th, 2007 at 1:53 PM Said:

Hi and thanks for stopping by my site and for your comments! Great to know that people are reading and taking the time to comment.

I enjoyed this post. As for fibromyalgia, there is some recent experimental evidence that suggests that there is a genetic component, but it is not clear how it works. If you’re keen to read a dense scientific study, check out this link:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1779444&rendertype=abstract

All the best and thanks again for your visit.

Chris in Oxford’s last blog post..Rematch!
Chad (1 comments.), on July 21st, 2008 at 7:33 PM Said:

I also saw a show on discovery channel where the members of the family were dying in there 30′s and 40′s and no one new why. This went on for years and years, and they found out that it was a genetic for of stomach cancer, and the family could be save with a simple gastric bypass surgery.

I thought it was extremely fascinating.
Cypforum (1 comments.), on August 2nd, 2008 at 4:39 AM Said:

I like very much the writings and pictures and explanations in your adress so I look forward to see your next writings. I congratulate you.
medical symptoms (2 comments.), on August 15th, 2008 at 6:06 AM Said:

Ghost In Your Genes was fascinating. It really does make you think about what we do to our bodies in the name of “enjoyment” as you said. My guess is that it does have a considerable affect on the medical symptoms of our descendents.
Dony (1 comments.), on August 29th, 2008 at 12:18 AM Said:

That is so interesting. It’s amazing how our body really works and how our genes are linked to our ancestors from generations to generations. So, it’s better that we live a healthy lifestyle now because we don’t want to pass over any diseases or chronic disorders to the genes of our children’s children.

Donys last blog post..Coronary Artery Surgery in a Foreign Land
Online Doctor Consultation (1 comments.), on September 21st, 2008 at 9:15 PM Said:

Really very interesting article. I came to know what our body is affected if we neglect health
evercleanse (1 comments.), on October 26th, 2008 at 8:57 PM Said:

this study is great is showing how our body really takes its instructions from the ones before us. I find even with genes that staying healthy with good food and detoxing keeps me healthy.
tintype (1 comments.), on December 18th, 2008 at 2:45 AM Said:

Interesting. A question- As a whole, is this currently a good or bad thing for our future generations? I’m hearing everywhere that our current society is the most obese it’s ever been, which I assume could mean the most unhealthy. But on the flip side, we’re living longer now than ever before in history (highly attributed to medical technology no doubt). So as a whole, are we less healthier now, even though we’re living longer? And if so, does this study hint that we’re actually degenerating physically as a society?
Carol, on December 18th, 2008 at 11:56 AM Said:

Twitter: webduck
My take on it is that we will probably be the engineers of our own demise through unhealthy living. If there are any external stresses on our world, like shortages of water becoming more widespread we may see those chubby people slim down a bit as they forage for food and water. Only time will tell.

Carols last blog post..Photo of the Day at Are You In My Photo
geek05@free blogger templates (3 comments.), on February 5th, 2009 at 4:11 AM Said:

It made me think about losing my bad vices.. thinking my grandson or granddaughter could be affected… this article is really interesting to read… keep it coming..

take care,
geek05

geek05@free blogger templates\\\´s last blog post..Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton