Epigenetic refers to the numerous changes in gene expression or phenotype caused for the presentation of biological mechanisms or DNA sequence in a human body. The term includes any process that changes gene activity by keeping the DNA sequences unaffected. Epigenetic processes are of different types containing ubiquitylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, and sumoylation. Embryo adoption and donation are based on a donor and recipient. Here the donor chooses an adoptive family and the adoptive mother undergoes the Frozen Embryo transfer. The exciting news is the role of epigenetics or influence of the adoptive mother’s body has on the DNA of the embryo as it grows using the mother’s nourishment, energy, and systems. New research is emerging, giving scientists’ new view about the performance of mechanisms inheritable alternations. The role of mechanism underlying epigenetic memory has great importance in human development and disease. There are three major categories of signals that direct the formation of a sturdily heritable epigenetic state in the life of a human who was born through the process of embryo adoption. The first one is Epigenator which promotes an environmental indication can show the way to an epigenetic phenotype. This also plays the role of an intracellular pathway. Epigenetic Initiator is the second one which accelerates the process of establishing the local chromatin context at a structured and limited location. The third and final one is Epigenetic Maintainer which helps to sustain the existing epigenetic chromatin state in the initial generation. Epigenetic signs are not all the time entirely erased from one generation to the other. Current studies give numerous evidences of the significant role of molecular mechanisms in the establishment of inherited traits and diseases in the human body. The article entitled “Science News Rethinking The Genetic Theory of Inheritance; Heritability May Not Be Limited to DNA” gives valuable comments that strengthen the thesis statement of the research paper. It remarks, “Scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have detected evidence that DNA may not be the only carrier of heritable information; a secondary molecular mechanism called epigenetics may also account for some inherited traits and diseases.” (Science news rethinking the genetic theory of inheritance: Heritability may not be limited to DNA, 2009, P.1). Analyzing the entire process of embryo adoption one can find that an epigenetic trait is a stably inherited phenotype resulting from changes in a chromosome without alterations in the DNA sequence.
A stably heritable epigenetic state is very important in the study of epigenetics. Shilatifard and colleagues have introduced three types of signals that work in creating a stable inheritance epigenetic state. “The first is a signal from the environment, the second is a responding signal in the cell that specifies the affected chromosomal location, and the third is a sustaining signal that perpetuates the chromatin change in subsequent generations.” (Epigenetic: Ali Shilatifard and colleagues aim to clarify the definition, 2009, para.4). Through the presence of molecular features one can reach the possibility that the heritable constituent of a disease or particular trait is epigenetic rather than genetic.
The word generally means that an addition to the changes in the genetic sequence. “The term has evolved to include any process that alters gene activity without changing the DNA sequence, and leads to modifications that can be transmitted to daughter cells.” (Epigenetics: The science of change, 2006, multiple mechanisms, para.1). The epigenetic heritability helps the scientists and doctors to identify vague concepts and unclear issues of human diseases in a person who was born through the process of embryo adoption. Based on Shilatifard’s definition about the signals that promote the establishment of a heritable epigenetic condition, it is clear that a particular gene or genes act in different ways in a human body depending upon the existing environment. In the web article named ‘Epigenetic epidemiology’, Eva Jablonka states that “However, during the last two decades, there has been an accumulation of observations that do not slot neatly into either of these categories.” (Jablonka, 2004, p.1)
According to Shilatifard, the second category of signal is a responding signal in the cell that specifies the affected chromosomal location. For instance, the gene for a hereditary tumor may donate tumors for the next generation. The response signal may lead to the birth of a child who has different physical and emotional stature. The journal article entitled ‘Epigenetics – The Importance of the Birth Mother’ gives relevant comments. It remarks;” The child who is born would have been a physically & no doubt emotionally different person if carried by his genetic mother.” (The tricky subject of disclosure, 2006).
Shilatifard’s third signal is a sustaining one that is responsible for the chromatin change in subsequent generations. It is a part of common knowledge that overweight mothers give birth to heavier children and one can notice the amplification of obesity across various generations. The online article entitled The epigenetics of increasing weight through the generations states; “One hypothesis is that maternal obesity before and during pregnancy affects the establishment of body weight regulatory mechanisms in her baby.” (The epigenetics of increasing weight through the generations, 2008). Here genetic features in mother’s body try to sustain its characteristics into the next generations.
To conclude, analyzing various studies one can reach the conclusion that the influence of the carrying recipient adoptive mother’s cells has a significant influence on the embryo/s she carries that creates an energy connection between the mother and baby along with physical bonds because epigenetic influences changes in chromosome without alternation in DNA changes.
The epigenetics of increasing weight
Biologists have identified some of the reasons of the epigenetic of increasing weight. “[They ] are finding that non-genetic variation acquired during the life of an orgasm can sometimes be passed on to offspring –a phenomenon know as epigenetic inheritance.” (Epigenetic: 100 reasons to change the way we think about genetics, 2009). It makes clear the fact that non-genetic organisms, like the genetic, may help for the growth of a living creature. Regarding the things that make resemblance between the embryo-mom and child, one can find the same factor exerting its influence. Different studies conducted over this issue have identified more than a hundred factors causing epigenetic inheritance between generations of organisms. Scientists could recognize non-DNA inheritance and it later led them to some of the very remarkable discoveries. Contrary to their expectations, scientists found out that like the cells of the human body, there are non-DNA inheritance between organisms. Scientific experiments of Jablonka and Raz in different creatures have proved non-DNA inheritance.
It is methyl (small chemical groups within cells), which makes the genes active or inactive. It is capable of changing the genes on and off or changing their form and function, without changing the underlying DNA. Thus, one is clear that it is the activity of methyl that causes for the resemblance and increasing weight like the adoptive mom who carried the baby from the embryonic stage.
Reference List
Epigenetic: Ali Shilatifard and colleagues aim to clarify the definition. (2009). Medical News Today. Web.
Epigenetics: The science of change: Multiple Mechanisms. (2006). EHP: Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(3). Web.
Epigenetic: 100 reasons to change the way we think about genetics. (2009). Science Daily. 1.
Jablonka, E. (2004). Review: Epigenetic epidemiology. International Journal of Epidemiology, 33, 1-7. Int. J. Epidemiol. Advance Access: IJE: International Epidemiological Association. Web.
Science news rethinking the genetic theory of inheritance: Heritability may not be limited to DNA. (2009).
The tricky subject of disclosure: Epigenetics- the importance of the birth mother. (2006). Web.
The epigenetics of increasing weight through the generations. (2008). BioMedicine. Web.