A growing body of evidence suggests that our environment can cause changes to our genes, altering our genome which can present in future generations. Thus, arguing that our bodies do not necessarily ‘end at the skin’. This blog will offer a brief perspective on how epigenetics can support the narrative that bodies and environment can be imagined as ‘entangled’.

The field of epigenetics encompasses the inquiry into how the biology of living organisms is continually modified throughout the lifespan by environmental stimuli both internal and external to the organism (Lock, 2015). Epigenetics lends much information for the study of the body and embodiment through how molecular pathways within the body act as a medium for the interaction of nature (our genetics) and nurture (our environment) (Lock, 2015). The ever-growing narrative is that for the duration of one’s life, starting at conception, all aspects of our environment including physical and social, cause changes in our material bodies (Lock, 2015). The supporting research illustrates that the body “should not be conceptualized as a clearly bounded predetermined entity from birth” (Lock, 2015, p. 162). This insight can provide hope for certain groups, as the advancement of epigenetics has given rigour to epigenetic data, allowing it to be used as official evidence in the court to show the harm that dangerous environments can cause. However, while epigenetics has reached an exciting stage of credibility, with  Lock framing nurture as “debilitated” due to the proposed power of changes in pre-generational genes, there is now added stress imposed on vulnerable individuals such as expectant mothers. As a response, Burke (cited in Lock, 2015) poses that though the advancement of epigenetics is promising, molecular biologists must work alongside social scientists to understand how bodies and the environment can be imagined as ‘entangled’ to the full extent.

In conclusion, epigenetics holds high importance when considering how the environment interacts with the body. Though it can be useful in predicting poor health and psychosocial outcomes, it must be used in conjunction with social scientific theories to grasp the full picture. Additionally, being reductionist and solely using epigenetics can have harmful effects.

References

Lock, M., 2015. Comprehending the body in the era of the epigenome. Current Anthropology, 56(2), pp.151-177.

Week 10- Bodies as/in environments / Monica Oliver-Diaz / Health, bodies and embodiment (2023-2024)[SEM2] by is licensed under a