Epigenetics describes how gene expression can be altered without permanently changing the DNA sequence, for example through the chemical modification of nucleotides or regulation of non-coding RNA. Epigenetic mechanisms enable organisms to respond rapidly and flexibly to changing environmental factors, including diet, toxins, and stress. If epigenetic changes affect the germline of an individual organism, they may be transmitted to their offspring and subsequent generations in ways that influence their health. These mechanisms are important for the understanding of fundamental human development processes and may also have broader implications for medicine, dietary science, psychology, environmental health, educational policy, and law.
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The impact of epigenetics on health and disability | Science
