History of Epigenetics (original) (raw)
I. Introduction: an epigenetic revolution? "Today we are learning the language in which God created life", President Clinton dramatically declared on June 26, 2000, after scientists have announced the completion an 85% draft of the human genetic code. 1 Today, about a decade after the completion of the Human Genome Project, most scientist would agree that the main results of this project was not the revelation of the ultimate 'code of life', 2 but almost the opposite: namely the realization that the road to the understanding of most life phenomena is not that of the DNA itself. Instead, a totally new research field has emerged, dedicated to the study of endlessly complicated web of interactions between the genetic material and its environment much of which is subsumed under the heading of 'epigenetics'. Currently, there seems to be little need to explain or argue for the importance of epigenetic inheritance. Not only professional scientists, but also the general public is overwhelmed by articles and books about what is described by some as the "Ultimate Mystery of Inheritance" 3 , by others as the "Second Code". 4 Epigenetics is "the new discipline that is revolutionizing biology", so a recent book on the subject; 1 From White House press conference broadcast on the day of the publication of the first draft of the human genome.
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