This is a well-travelled argument, but what does it mean in genetic terms? Who cares, I hear you ask? I do, and so should you.
We now know that many modern illnesses are multi-factorial complex diseases. That means that there is more than one cause of the condition, and often more than one treatment. Cancer and cardiovascular disease are good examples of this. For example, you might hear someone say 'they never smoked, always exercised, the heart attack came out of the blue'. We are told to eat five fresh fruit and veg a day, we are encouraged to know our numbers - blood pressure and cholesterol, we are implored to exercise for at least thirty minutes three times a week. But all of this will mean nothing if your genetics are against you.
Cardiologists talk of risk stratification. This is a complicated formula which takes into account weight (body mass index), waist to hip ratio, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and family history, amongst other measurements. A family history of heart disease is a strong indicator of a genetic link, but often the science of genetics has not yet identified the culprit gene variant, or variants, or discovered the mechanism of the fault in causing disease.
So, in terms of genetics, the nature versus nurture argument is all about a person's individual DNA pattern interacting with one's environment, the individual lifestyle choices we all make. And both genetics and lifestyle contribute to the overall risk of disease; we just don't know yet what to do about this. But, this is a rapidly growing area of research which it is hoped will yield valuable insights into the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Fingers crossed.
Follow @Shackleford_LBCardiologists talk of risk stratification. This is a complicated formula which takes into account weight (body mass index), waist to hip ratio, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and family history, amongst other measurements. A family history of heart disease is a strong indicator of a genetic link, but often the science of genetics has not yet identified the culprit gene variant, or variants, or discovered the mechanism of the fault in causing disease.
So, in terms of genetics, the nature versus nurture argument is all about a person's individual DNA pattern interacting with one's environment, the individual lifestyle choices we all make. And both genetics and lifestyle contribute to the overall risk of disease; we just don't know yet what to do about this. But, this is a rapidly growing area of research which it is hoped will yield valuable insights into the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Fingers crossed.