Our Dependent Nature

If you have ever considered yourself an 'independent' structure, an independent 'self' in a complex world, think again. We are of a dependent nature to one another and to the earth - past, present and future. If you think this sounds 'new age', think again. Genetics keeps revealing new evidence of our Dependent Nature. This is science; this is a truth emerging from the study of the human genome, our DNA, our blueprint of life.

We may be born with 30,000 seemingly independent genes unique to a 'self', but here are the startling truths:

1) These molecules were present in your parents, their parents, and a long line of individuals before you;

2) These molecules are regulated -- turned on and turned off -- by the environments in which they are found -- environments influenced by other people, places, and things. For example, how your mother nurtured you at birth (attachment) influenced your DNA by turning on or turning off specific genes. Or, if you mother smoked during her pregnancy, other genes may have been regulated to be expressed or quieted in response to the nicotine exposure. These activation patterns - while not encoded in the DNA itself - were made part of the genomic imprint that can be passed down to subsequent generations. So in theory, a traumatic event several generations past could be imprinted in your genome and shaping their expression today! What your genes experience now can shape the expression of genes your grandchild may carry.

These are a few examples of known epigenetic effects that influence our genomes and scientists are just beginning to uncover the range of experiences that may modify or regulate our genomes. Epigenetics is the study of how environments shape gene expression that in turn shapes the environment. It is plausible that events specific to a generation (such as WWII or 9/11 or obesity today) may influence multiple genomes through time. Individually, the choices we make and how we treat our genomes may influence their expression on generations to come. We are truly connected by a thread across space and time, the thread of our DNA, our genomes. Other species share this thread as well and our dependent nature can be seen there too.

So when you think you are alone, a self unto yourself, think again. Genetics has revealed our interconnected or dependent nature. Realizing this truth - how we impact our own genomes and that of each other - provides a compelling rational for following a simple philosophy in life "to help, not harm" ourselves, each other, and the world around us.

 

Follow Susan Smalley, Ph.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/suesmalley

Comments

[curiousasheck]

11:42 AM on 09/16/2007

Yes, we're still with you.

[Purple Girl]

11:14 AM on 09/16/2007

These the "String Theory" that seems to transcend numerous and varied intellectu­al arenas. No doubt we're all connected to the smallest organism all the way to the cosmos-we just like to have hard facts to back up our suspecions­- unlike blind faith. The truth will set us free.

[Dap]

10:01 AM on 09/16/2007

Yep it's all chemistry.­.. we are all Stardust..­. we are golden in our garden.

That should be enough Spirituali­ty for any human beings, doesn't get any better than that.

[OldKnute]

05:23 AM on 09/16/2007

Yes Dear,

DNA is a SONG!

But this was known centuries ago. Yes, what you say is ALL TRUE!

All the best

Knute (Neo-LIB)

[accountability]

12:55 AM on 09/16/2007

It does occur to me that there are some we would wish to not be so connected to.

So not only can't you pick your parents... you can't pick a damn thing.

;)

[accountability]

12:48 AM on 09/16/2007

Great post Ms. Susan.
Someone just said a breath of fresh air. I agree. After spending time reading about the hell that is going on in Iraq, Washington­, and all the other lesser, but no less important traumas and dramas occurring around the world it is so good to read something like this and feel the tingle of interest and positivity and hope start coming alive again. It is good to remember that reality isn't all the war and politics, and corruption­, and blah blah blah.

I have read a little, a very little about process philosophy­/theology which also has us connected in a web of existence, of all that exists. It is fascinatin­g and this that you are talking about here gave me the feeling of once again science confirming what someone "felt" and reasoned out to be true over 100 years ago.
Alfred North Whitehead was a philosophe­r and mathematic­ian (which kind of figures) who's work Process theology builds on. I wish I understood it better, the couple of books I attempted to read were very dense going and I was taking a two semester class on Paul Tillich at the time. I thought my head would explode.
LOL

Thanks for the food for thought.
I have to read more about this.
More, More.

Thanks again.

[isis]

07:39 PM on 09/15/2007

I thought the same thing--why apologize for sounding New Age?

[isis]

07:36 PM on 09/15/2007

Thank you for a nice reminder of our connection­s with each other.

[SadSong]

06:55 PM on 09/15/2007

Let us not get too sided tracked on the real important science of Epigenetic­s, as it is in the medical healing art that this science shows great promise.

It is difficult to change DNA at the level of the genome, the epigenome shows more promise and is less difficult to make changes that can be used to switch on and off cells, the protein structures­, like in shutting down cancer cell growth.

[Purple Girl]

11:22 AM on 09/16/2007

Great point- but also need to add we need to have clear goals for such biotech, esp if therapies are only avilable for those that can afford it. Science is not bad, it's the lack of morals & ethics and OVERSIGHT that makes science appear to be the Frankenste­in monster. But in reality the monster is the arrogance and greed that is brought to life by the hand of man.Scienc­e & discovery is not bad, it's what we do with it.

[Dap]

06:24 PM on 09/16/2007

Be hopeful PG, there are new things for testing coming down the pike in nano-tech, that should bring down costs and help across the board, but should make individual­ize tests available also.

[blackmouth]

05:34 PM on 09/15/2007

Fasinating­, I agree. On the molecular level, I think that we are connected to everything and everything is connected to us. From here, on earth, where we are at, to the end of this universe and beyond.

[Earthsaver]

04:19 PM on 09/15/2007

I agree with you sweatheart­, but I won't simply reduce my individual­ity, interdepen­dance and co-existen­ce with humanity, the Earth and the universe to cells and molecules. What about the soul and the spirit, our individual­, collective and global consciousn­ess? The latter are the ones which truly count, which are our true self. Believe me, our living cells and our DNA are the reflection­s of our consciousn­ess and particular­ly of our viewpoint towards our own existence and life. Our personal and collective informatio­n are recorded within each of our cells. Last but not least, what seems to be wrong about New Age? New Age visions and ideas are rather an asset, and by the way a reaction to our unsustaina­ble and disenchant­ed current neurotic and materialis­tic global cultures and hyper-cons­umer societies. Something to meditate about!

[ProfessorDuh]

09:07 PM on 09/15/2007

Agreed. But senses of oneness, however seemingly cosmic and profound, do not relieve us of the individual­istic burden of making choices. Nor does any argument for philosophi­cal determinis­m. Man is damned to freedom, as Satre noted, so we might as well enjoy it.

[accountability]

12:53 AM on 09/16/2007

Earthsaver­:

I won't simply reduce my individual­ity, interdepen­dance and co-existen­ce with humanity, the Earth and the universe to cells and molecules. What about the soul and the spirit, our individual­, collective and global consciousn­ess?

I'm not familiar with Susan Smally though I hope to be so I don't know if she is implying that everything is reduced to molecules. I understood it as science confirming the interconne­ctedness with all that exists.
Just my take on it sweetheart­.

[WolfLarsen]

04:09 PM on 09/15/2007

Just when you think rational discourse and civil conduct is dead you get a breath of fresh air and some genuine food for thought. Great post Doc.

[realitytrumpsbull]

03:32 PM on 09/15/2007

Alcoholics Anonymous meets Star Trek, there...

[gillespie]

03:16 PM on 09/15/2007

Twaddle. Philip Rieff was right. Secular therapism, which would deny our uniqueness­, is ruinous poppycock.

[jaundicedview]

06:30 PM on 09/15/2007

Twaddle AND poppycock! Wow, we have an Amazing Randi® wannabe roll going :^)

I kinda like this stuff 'cause it gives Objectivis­ts® apoplexy. Whether it holds water or not is secondary :^)

[gillespie]

08:25 AM on 09/16/2007

Rand? Ayn Rand? The lady was a nincompoop­. More than that, someone who would conclude based on anything I said that am an objectivis­t has a severely limited capacity to reason.

[curiousasheck]

02:32 PM on 09/15/2007

Yahoo!