M Winther
2007-11-13 17:15:56 UTC
Right now a revolutionary paradigm shift is undergoing in the science
of genetics. It is called epigenetics. The term "epigenetic" refers to
heritable traits that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA
sequence. This can occur over rounds of cell division, while some
epigenetic features can effect transgenerational inheritance and are
inherited from one generation to the next. Multigenerational
epigenetics is today regarded as another aspect to evolution and
adaptation. Examples of this is the paramutation observed in maize. In
humans, epigenetic changes have been observed to occur in response to
environmental exposure, that is, a sort of Lamarckian inheritance
(Vid. Pembrey ME, Bygren LO, Kaati G, et al. Sex-specific, male-line
transgenerational responses in humans. Eur J Hum Genet 2006.)
Up to now, Carl Jung has received much critique for his notion that
the collective unconscious has acquired traits over the millennia.
Genetics has been regarded a much slower process. For instance, in
Jung, an important argument is that man's experiences during medieval
time affect us strongly today, and is the foundation on which we stand
as modern people. The medieval world, and classical antiquity, is part
of our unconscious. However, other ethnic groups, such as African
tribes, lack this layer. Other people still, such as the Chinese, have
a different configuration of the collective unconscious, although the
foundational layer is the same for all people on earth.
The young science of epigenetics can corroborate such notions. Not
only climatological, epidemic, and nutritive experiences can be
transferred to coming generations. Culture is the most fundamental
force that has shaped man's life through the aeons. Its effect is,
in all likelihood, established in the genome in a few generations.
The concept implies that genes have a 'memory'; what you do in your
lifetime, and what you are exposed to, could in turn affect your
grandchildren. Epigenetics adds a whole new layer to genes beyond the
DNA, the so called "epigenome". Among other things, it proposes a
control system of 'switches' that turn genes on or off. The things
that people experience, like nutrition and stress, can control these
switches and cause heritable effects in humans. The switches
themselves can also be inherited. This means that a 'memory' of an
event could be passed through generations. A simple environmental
effect could switch genes on or off - and this change could be
inherited.
Epigenetics will change the way the causes of disease are viewed, as
well as the importance of lifestyles and family relationships. Crucial
to Jung's theory of archetypes is the cultural forging of our
unconscious nature. Also Freud, when pressured, refused to cede with
his "Lamarckian" notions. It is a most remarkable turnover in favour
of Jung and Freud.
Mats Winther
of genetics. It is called epigenetics. The term "epigenetic" refers to
heritable traits that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA
sequence. This can occur over rounds of cell division, while some
epigenetic features can effect transgenerational inheritance and are
inherited from one generation to the next. Multigenerational
epigenetics is today regarded as another aspect to evolution and
adaptation. Examples of this is the paramutation observed in maize. In
humans, epigenetic changes have been observed to occur in response to
environmental exposure, that is, a sort of Lamarckian inheritance
(Vid. Pembrey ME, Bygren LO, Kaati G, et al. Sex-specific, male-line
transgenerational responses in humans. Eur J Hum Genet 2006.)
Up to now, Carl Jung has received much critique for his notion that
the collective unconscious has acquired traits over the millennia.
Genetics has been regarded a much slower process. For instance, in
Jung, an important argument is that man's experiences during medieval
time affect us strongly today, and is the foundation on which we stand
as modern people. The medieval world, and classical antiquity, is part
of our unconscious. However, other ethnic groups, such as African
tribes, lack this layer. Other people still, such as the Chinese, have
a different configuration of the collective unconscious, although the
foundational layer is the same for all people on earth.
The young science of epigenetics can corroborate such notions. Not
only climatological, epidemic, and nutritive experiences can be
transferred to coming generations. Culture is the most fundamental
force that has shaped man's life through the aeons. Its effect is,
in all likelihood, established in the genome in a few generations.
The concept implies that genes have a 'memory'; what you do in your
lifetime, and what you are exposed to, could in turn affect your
grandchildren. Epigenetics adds a whole new layer to genes beyond the
DNA, the so called "epigenome". Among other things, it proposes a
control system of 'switches' that turn genes on or off. The things
that people experience, like nutrition and stress, can control these
switches and cause heritable effects in humans. The switches
themselves can also be inherited. This means that a 'memory' of an
event could be passed through generations. A simple environmental
effect could switch genes on or off - and this change could be
inherited.
Epigenetics will change the way the causes of disease are viewed, as
well as the importance of lifestyles and family relationships. Crucial
to Jung's theory of archetypes is the cultural forging of our
unconscious nature. Also Freud, when pressured, refused to cede with
his "Lamarckian" notions. It is a most remarkable turnover in favour
of Jung and Freud.
Mats Winther