User:Kopperh/sandbox

Are Epigenetics Debatable?
Epigenetics from a simplistic standpoint is the action of altering a person or thing's genes to "forcefully evolve," said species. With that in mind morals, logistics and practicality, and social dilemmas all arise when Epigenetics is referenced. During epigenetic activity, modifications occur in the DNA and its associated proteins, often histones, without altering the underlying DNA sequence. These modifications influence gene expression and chromatin structure, thereby regulating various cellular processes. The 4 modifications that are most common or precedent are DNA methylation, Histone modifications, Chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. Without an extensive science lesson, the basic knowledge behind these modifications or epigenetic processes are the underlying or the reductionistic links to biology that stem from.

History
Epigenetic activity has always been around. It stems back to the earliest species to ever live on planet earth. Epigenetic activity is the natural way species altered themselves to make their survivability larger and more predominant. This scenario happened for millions of years before humanity even started to understand that species could evolve within themselves over time. In 1940 the term epigenetics was coined by Conrad Waddington, to explain how the genes of a species interacted with the environment they are surviving in. Epigenetic advancement is a scientific process that has been learned steadily over the last few decades. With that in mind, we can think of the term reductionism to explain the development of Epigenetic science and advancement. As humanity grows and slowly learns more about genes, environmental studies,and adaptability advance as its underlying components become more understood. Around 1985 experiments conducted on livestock were done in hopes of creating the ideal food source, and while searching for food the scientists opened it to the public to try and get funding for their research. The many in the public that didn’t think that tampering with a living animal’s genetic compounds to create ideal offspring decided to start to protest and refuse to fund the research. Causing a setback, however, this was the start for all moral ideologies concerning epigenetics. Now scientists know how many people in our society think and feel about animals and sentient beings. Scientists in search of other options to continue their research decided to use Mendel's genetic experiments as a basis to continue their goal for a perfect food source in terms of crops.

The most recent predominant advancements in epigenetic sciences were made in January of 2022. More technology like the ChIP-BMS that combines the two basic techniques to enable scientists to understand the interdependence of DNA Methylation and chromatin modifications, to provide a more complete comprehensive understanding of the phenotypic expression of the genome. Epigenetics are still evolving to this day, and it is quite possible that they will continue to evolve for many years to come. As our understanding of them becomes more solidified and our experiments become more specified humanity will thoroughly understand epigenetics from a reductionist standpoint.

Natural (reductionist ideology)
Epigenetics happens naturally over time and throughout the process of natural selection. As the body or an outside source, matrilineal or patrilineal, could all come into play in the creation and order of your genetic pool. When a species or creature has a trait that gives them an advantage it is far more likely for them to survive or procreate, which forces the creatures' genetic components into the next and upcoming generations. This is Natural Selection, a leading factor in Darwin's theory of Evolution Many see Epigenetics as a topic that should be sacred due to the heavy effect of natural experiences throughout human history. With such a great power it is bound to incite fear and make people more cautious of epigenetic modification.

Social (societies influenced by efficiency)
The social benefit for epigenetics however is unparalleled. The possibilities of epigenetic growth are extreme in every aspect of scientific growth. Epigenetics can allow for the creation of "perfection" a level of efficiency that used to never be obtainable by humanity. Epigenetics can create the perfect medicines, fertilizers, crops, plants and so much more. In a social and efficiency-based mindset epigenetics are the only logical way to go in terms of advancement. In corn for example, by masking the genes that society deems inefficient we can interchange them for things that could create better growth, longer shelf life, better taste, and the perfection of nutrition given by eating the corn. This possibility alone leads to fixing the world's starvation problem in all countries across the world. From a medical standpoint, with the right testing and correct sequencing we can create perfect antibiotics that could cure any disease or virus. That means a cure for cancer, tuberculosis and many other incurable diseases will now be able to be cured. Epigenetics in the medical field provides crucial social benefits by revolutionizing personalized medicine, early disease detection, and prevention strategies. This understanding enables tailored treatments based on an individual's genetic and environmental factors, reducing adverse effects and improving healthcare outcomes. Moreover, it addresses health disparities, aids in reproductive health guidance, informs public health interventions, reduces stigma, and enhances mental health care, fostering a more equitable and compassionate approach to healthcare while empowering individuals and communities to make informed choices for better health and well-being.

Moral (opposing viewpoint/ societies influenced by morals)
Epigenetics from a social standpoint seem like some of the most perfect things in the world, however in a moral argument they would never hold out. The altercation of genes in humans specifically would take far too much inhumane testing to ever be allowed by any rational government across the globe. The altercation of plants, however, would be okay because they are not sentient beings. To be able to recreate the genetic compound though is breaking into a less aware but equally as important moral conversation. That conversation would be; is it correct to tamper or change things that have always been natural? Many books written throughout the last hundred years have considered this direct question. Some of the most predominant being Frankenstein by Mary Shelly or The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells. These books show the danger of tampering with what is natural by trying to add a scientific layer to them. Frankenstein had parallels with his creation. Due to his experiments with the natural ability to create life he is given a monster of uncanny proportions. H.G. Wells depicts a similar scenario, where Dr. Moreau experiments on animals to make them more humanoid. This, much like Frankenstein, inevitably leads to the downfall of both great scientists. While the stories are fiction, the message could very plausibly be a possibility for humanity due to extensive research and testing of epigenetic activity.

Practicality and Logistics
Epigenetics holds significant practical implications across various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Some practical aspects of epigenetics include:

Disease Understanding and Diagnosis

Personalized Medicine

Cancer Research and Therapy

Agriculture and Crop Improvement

Environmental Adaptation and Toxicology

Fetal Development and Maternal Health

Forensic Science

While epigenetics holds promise in these areas, there are still challenges to address, such as the complexity of epigenetic mechanisms, the need for standardized methodologies, and ethical considerations regarding the use of epigenetic information. Continued research and advancements in epigenetics are essential to fully harness its practical applications across diverse fields and improve human health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

Overall epigenetics are the logical next step for humanity and scientific advancement. Soon it will also be the most practical way to make scientific advancements in many more than just these 7 most predominant examples. To look at epigenetics in a logical way would be to understand how your body changes due to the environment and habits of one’s daily life. Engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress, and adopting eco-friendly practices reflect behaviors that, over time, can indirectly influence gene expression similar to the principles of epigenetics. These daily activities contribute to creating a healthier environment for cellular functions, mirroring the broader concept of epigenetic influence on gene expression through lifestyle choices.

Conclusion
In essence, the discussion around epigenetics revolves around altering genes without changing their sequence, influencing how they function without modifying DNA. This scientific field, studied since the mid-20th century, explores how genes interact with the environment. It holds promise in improving medicine, agriculture, and more by potentially treating diseases and enhancing crops. However, ethical concerns arise about tampering with nature and the unintended consequences, as illustrated in stories like "Frankenstein" and "The Island of Dr. Moreau." Despite these moral quandaries, many believe that epigenetics will significantly impact future advancements, although challenges remain in understanding its complexities and determining ethical boundaries for its application.