From Epigenetics to Public Policy: A New Perspective for Early Action

Abstract

Epigenetic has been a trendy topic for scientific community in the last two decades at
least, yet many people around the world including policy makers and stake holders still think
this field has nothing to do with policies or politics. Epigenetics is known as the key regulation
of genes expression without changes in deoxirebonucleic acid (DNA) sequence, and the
classic epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation or post-translational modifications
of histones are the ones most commonly discussed and have been joined by recent biomolecular
research by which genes expression might vary according to the ribonucleic acid (RNA)
function. Existing literature supports that epigenetics changes are responses to environmental
stimulus and exposures; mainly maternal exposures including inadequate nutrition.1 In addition,
it is now suggested the existence of epigenetic windows of susceptibility to environmental
insults during sperm development, giving the chance for inclusion of both factors; maternal
and paternal in research to promote better understanding of these effects on the health of future
generations; and explore the relevant applications on the public policies related for taking early
action on the prevention of many diseases.