more on epigenetics (Evolution)

by BBella , Sunday, August 12, 2012, 21:19 (4275 days ago) @ dhw

In yesterday's Guardian, under the sub-heading "Epigenetics is one of the keys to explaining the mystery of life", there was a review of Identically Different: Why You Can Change Your Genes by Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London. Inevitably a lot of the focus is on disease, but I'd like to comment on the following passages:
> 
> "If you practise music for six hours a day [...] your brain will show recognizable changes both in large scale anatomy and genetically. [...] But the puzzle is that some of these changes can be passed on to offspring, and the effect ... although it eventually disappears after three to four generations ... can have profound consequences." 
> -When I read the above passage I thought of the scripture in the Bible that says God visits (passes down?) the sins of the fathers to the 3rd and 4th generation. Altho this verse mainly speaks of the negative traits or sins, I thought it interesting the similarities in meaning. -I the Lord...visit the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:5; cf. Numbers 14:18)