SCRIPTURE
"Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" Colossians 3:2
QUOTE
“A devil, a born devil, on whose nature, nurture can never stick; on whom my pains. Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost.” The Tempest Act 4, Scene 1
SCIENCE
Our physical life is based on DNA, God's genetic language. Research has shown that non-genetic factors can also impact the outcome of our physical lives. Epigenetics explores how behaviors and environmental factors can induce alterations in DNA or associated proteins that impact gene function. In traditional gene editing, the intended DNA sequence is directly modified. However, in Epigenetics gene editing, the target DNA sequence itself is not modified, and the changes are reversible.
LET US PONDER
Is nature (broadly refers to our genes) a plain sheet of paper in which the environment writes, or are genes the primary influencers shaping individuals' behavior and characteristics? Nature refers to how genetics and heredity influence an individual's personality, whereas nurture refers to how their environment (including relationships and experiences) impacts their development. Whereas diseases, height, eye color, etc... are genetically determined traits, a person's behavior is influenced by factors such as parenting styles and learned experiences. Epigenetic modifications can occur through three different mechanisms.
1. Methylation. By adding or removing a methyl group (CH3, three hydrogen atoms bonded to one central carbon atom) in specific places in DNA a gene can be turned off or on
2. Histone modification. Histone proteins wrap around the DNA, and by adding or removing chemical groups they can be loosely or tightly packed, turning genes off or on
3. Non-coding RNA. DNA serves as the blueprint for producing both coding and non-coding RNA. Coding RNA is responsible for synthesizing proteins. Non-coding RNA regulates gene expression by binding to coding RNA, often in conjunction with specific proteins or recruit proteins to modify histones, thus activating ("on") or deactivating ("off") genes.
Epigenetic changes start before birth. All the cells in the human body have the same genes, but epigenetics influences the specific function of each cell, such as whether it becomes a heart, nerve, or skin cell. For example, nerve cells transport information, and skin cells play a crucial role in regulating normal body temperature and house sensors for touch, temperature, pressure, pain, etc... Studies have shown that Eastern meditative practices (MP) have positively impacted stress-reduction pathways in patients. Similarly, fasting, prayer, etc, have positively affected various human conditions, such as behavioral, emotional, and depressive symptoms. The spiritual realm encapsulates the perceived eternal truths regarding humanity's ultimate essence, separate from temporal or material concerns. This realm includes non-material aspects of the universe, described in terms such as God, Higher Power, or the Transcendent. Just as epigenetics impacts our physical existence by influencing DNA expression, our human nature—both natural and spiritual—affects our spiritual essence. When guided by God, our spirit remains impervious to external forces, yielding the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22