Epigenetic Advances in Behavioral and Brain Sciences Have Relevance for Public Policy. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roth, Tania L.
• Editors: Fiske, Susan T.
• Other Names: Claflin Dragana Ivkovich guest-editor.; McCarthy Margaret guest-editor.; Gabbay Frances guest-editor.; Neiderhiser Jenae guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Policy insights from the behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 4:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 202
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: epigenetics -- DNA methylation -- prevention -- reversible -- public policy; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Behavioral Sciences; Public Policy; Brain; Human behavior; Political planning; Periodicals; Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1177/2372732217719091
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2372-7322

Abstract

Nature and nurture work together to drive development, behavior, and health. Behavioral epigenetics research has uncovered underlying mechanisms for how this happens. Children's early years in development may offer the greatest opportunity for environmental and experiential factors to influence the epigenome (chemical compounds telling our genes what to do), but evidence suggests it is never too late. The policy implications of this research are vast, including relevance for child development, health, and disease intervention and prevention.