Epigenetic determinism in science and society

Abstract

The epigenetic “revolution” in science cuts across many disciplines, and it is now one of the fastest growing research areas in biology. Increasingly, claims are made that epigenetics research represents a move away from the genetic determinism that has been prominent both in biological research and in understandings of the impact of biology on society. We discuss to what extent an epigenetic framework actually supports these claims. We show that, in contrast to the received view, epigenetics research is often couched in language as deterministic as genetics research in both science and the popular press. We engage the rapidly emerging conversation about the impact of epigenetics on public discourse and scientific practice, and we contend that the notion of epigenetic determinism – or the belief that epigenetic mechanisms determine the expression of human traits and behaviors – matters for understandings of the influence of biology and society on population health.

Towards a Truly Developmental Epigenetics

“…As Saunders points out [this issue], this molecular approach goes back more than half a century [Nanney, 1958], when epigenetics was framed as the problem of how to account for gene's differential activation. Waggoner and Uller [2015] argue that this emphasis on genes and their activation has resulted in various forms of "epigenetic determinism" [see also Moore, this issue], in which epigenetic research remains committed to reductionistic notions of the genetic control of phenotypic outcomes. Saunders goes on to propose that the evidence available from work in epigenetics could lead to a paradigm shift in terms of both development and evolution, but this will occur only if the definition of epigenetics is broadened beyond the molecular level and refocused on the whole organism rather than just the gene.…”

Epigenetics for the social sciences: justice, embodiment, and inheritance in the postgenomic age

“…It is far from obvious that gene-centrism will be effectively overcome rather than reinforced by epigenetic findings (Lock 2005(Lock , 2012Richardson, forthcoming;Waggoner and Uller 2015). The epigenetics revolution has been compared to the Gramscian passive revolution (Meloni and Testa 2014): a revolution that is less a radical break and more a limping compromise with existing forces.…”

Epigenetics, Media Coverage, and Parent Responsibilities in the Post-Genomic Era

“…This revelation has led some to argue that epigenetics has the potential to produce more holistic understandings of health and to invigorate investments in the social and environmental conditions that shape human wellbeing. However, others observe that rather than influencing more just or preventive social policies, epigenetics may lead to individually-oriented approaches that privilege biomedical or technological interventions and forms of “ epi genetic determinism” [5, 6, 7, 8]. Some scholars even caution that epigenetics could lead to new forms of eugenic thinking if we are not careful to guard against them [9].…”