Impressionable Biologies: From the Archaeology of Plasticity to the Sociology of Epigenetics

The concept of genes as the primary determinant of life processes and DNA transfer as the mechanism of biological heredity has been challenged by postgenomic disciplines such as epigenetics, which suggest that biological material is plastic and impressionable. This book explores a long history of beliefs about the plasticity of human biology and examines the biopolitical techniques required to govern such permeability. It argues that postgenomic plasticity disrupts clear boundaries between openness and determination, individual and community, with important implications for notions of risk, responsibility, and intervention.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 22 January 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

During the twentieth century, genes were considered the ultimate driving force behind life processes, and the transfer of DNA was believed to be the sole explanation for biological heredity. These views heavily influenced the politics of human heredity, particularly during the eugenic era, where controlling heredity meant intervening in the distribution of desirable and undesirable genes. However, as we entered the twenty-first century, a multitude of postgenomic disciplines began to challenge the central role of genes. One notable development was the rise of epigenetics, which heralded a significant shift from the notion of biological determinism to one of biological plasticity and impressionability.

This book delves into a rich tapestry of beliefs about the malleability of human biology, tracing its origins back to ancient medicine. It then examines the biopolitical strategies necessary to govern this permeability, exploring the emergence of the modern body of biomedicine as a necessary displacement or perhaps reconfiguration of earlier plastic views. Finally, it analyzes the re-emergence of plasticity in contemporary postgenomic perspectives and argues that postgenomic plasticity is neither a modernistic pursuit of body manipulation nor a postmodernist celebration of potentialities. Instead, it represents a form of plasticity that disrupts clear boundaries between openness and determination, individual and community, with profound implications for notions of risk, responsibility, and intervention.

In the eugenic era, the belief in the power of genes to shape human destiny led to a desire to control heredity through interventions such as selective breeding and genetic engineering. However, with the advent of epigenetics, we have gained a deeper understanding of the ways in which environmental factors and lifestyle choices can influence gene expression and ultimately affect our health and behavior. Epigenetics has revealed that our genes are not fixed entities but rather are dynamic and responsive to environmental cues, which can have significant implications for our understanding of disease, inheritance, and human development.

One of the key insights of epigenetics is that our experiences and environment can have a lasting impact on our genes, even after they have been inherited. This is known as epigenetic inheritance, and it suggests that our environment can influence the development and function of our genes in ways that are not directly related to our DNA sequence. For example, exposure to environmental toxins or stress can alter the expression of genes, leading to changes in our health and behavior. Epigenetic inheritance can also have implications for our understanding of disease risk and treatment. For example, if certain genetic variants are associated with an increased risk of disease, epigenetic factors may be able to modify these risks, making it possible for individuals to take preventative measures or receive targeted treatments.

Another important aspect of epigenetics is its potential to personalize medicine. By understanding the specific epigenetic changes that are associated with different diseases, doctors can develop personalized treatment plans that target these changes and improve patient outcomes. For example, some cancer treatments are designed to target specific epigenetic alterations that are present in cancer cells, allowing doctors to kill the cells while sparing healthy cells.

However, the rise of epigenetics also raises important ethical and social concerns. One concern is the potential for genetic discrimination, as individuals may be stigmatized or discriminated against based on their genetic makeup. Another concern is the potential for unintended consequences, as epigenetic changes may have unforeseen effects on future generations.

To address these concerns, it is important to develop ethical guidelines and regulations for the use and interpretation of epigenetic data. Additionally, researchers should prioritize transparency and accountability in their work, ensuring that their findings are communicated effectively to the public and that they are used to benefit society as a whole.

In conclusion, the rise of epigenetics has challenged our understanding of the central role of genes in life processes and biological heredity. Epigenetics has revealed that our genes are not fixed entities but rather are dynamic and responsive to environmental cues, which can have significant implications for our understanding of disease, inheritance, and human development. While epigenetics offers great promise for personalized medicine and disease prevention, it also raises important ethical and social concerns that must be addressed to ensure its responsible and beneficial use.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138049413