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Update Date: 2009/01/20 22:15
Many people believe that a person's height, weight, and even the presence of congenital diseases or defects are determined by genes. However, the notion that genes determine everything is about to be overturned. Assistant Professor Wang Sun-Chung from the Institute of Systems Biology at Central University, in collaboration with research teams from Canada and Sweden, has discovered a chemical reaction on genes called methylation. This gene methylation can cause significant differences even between identical twins.
The research team analyzed 114 pairs of identical twins and 80 pairs of fraternal twins worldwide and found that even under identical DNA sequences, different physiological reactions can occur due to differences in gene methylation. This is usually related to lifestyle, dietary habits, and environment, whether good or bad, it can also be passed on to the next generation.
This is the first time such a theory has been verified in humans, indicating that genes do not determine everything. These findings have been published in the internationally renowned journal Nature Genetics. Wang Sun-Chung stated that genetics has entered a new field. To pass on better gene methylation to the next generation, it is best to consume more vitamin B group and green vegetables, while drinking alcohol and consuming too much fat can plant bad roots for the next generation.
Reported by Lin Jingmei and Chen Boyu in Taipei.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 090120/ 51/ 1dbfd. html
Update Date: 2009/01/21 04:09
[Reporter Lin Jiaqi / Taipei Report]
Taiwan's genetic research has taken a significant leap forward! Assistant Professor Wang Sun-chung from the Institute of Systems Biology at Central University has studied the human methylation mechanism, observing that identical twins with identical genomes (DNA sequences) have the same innate conditions but different fates due to differences in their postnatal environment and habits. This discovery will revise the traditional "genetic determinism," proving that postnatal efforts can also lead to good genes, which can then be inherited as the greatest asset for the next generation.
Postnatal Efforts to Modify Methylation and Correct Bad Genes
Wang Sun-chung stated that while scientists have previously conducted methylation research on fruit flies, yeast, and mice, ethical considerations have delayed human experiments. However, the team found that although identical twins have the same genome, differences begin to emerge as they grow up due to factors such as diet, stress, and hormones. Therefore, they began a large-scale observation of 114 pairs of identical twins and 80 pairs of fraternal twins worldwide, analyzing the methylation distribution of their leukocyte, rectal, and oral cell genomes. They discovered that "the similarity of genome methylation in identical twins is higher than in fraternal twins," implying that DNA methylation differences have hereditary potential and also confirming the significant impact of lifestyle behaviors and habits beyond genes.
Both the genome and the methylation on the genome determine a person's appearance through inheritance. Interestingly, "DNA cannot be changed, but methylation is reversible," meaning that bad genes can be corrected through exercise and diet. Conversely, the adverse health effects caused by smoking, excessive drinking, and irregular lifestyles not only harm oneself but also affect future generations, potentially leading to a whole family of diseases.
To maintain methylation expression, people must take responsibility for themselves and not always blame innate genes. Wang Sun-chung said that healthy mothers with hereditary diseases in their families, if they suspect they are at high risk of unfavorable methylation, can undergo genetic screening and health maintenance, possibly ending familial hereditary diseases themselves and giving birth to healthy babies.
Eating More Onions, Garlic, and Foods Containing Vitamin B Group
Regularly consuming foods like onions, garlic, beets, and those containing folic acid and the Vitamin B group can provide good methylation, while high-calorie and high-fat foods should be eaten less. Wang Sun-chung emphasized the importance of a balanced diet and absolutely not eating only meat without vegetables.
Wang Sun-chung indicated that the field of "epigenomics," which concerns the effects outside the genome, is developing in recent years and could be used in the future to establish a methylation database to help doctors screen for congenital and hereditary diseases. The findings have been published in the top international scientific journal "Nature Genetics."
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 090121/ 78/ 1dbxl. html
Gene Methylation Varies Greatly in Twins
Many people believe that a person's height, weight, and even the presence of congenital diseases or defects are determined by genes. However, the notion that genes determine everything is about to be overturned. Assistant Professor Wang Sun-Chung from the Institute of Systems Biology at Central University, in collaboration with research teams from Canada and Sweden, has discovered a chemical reaction on genes called methylation. This gene methylation can cause significant differences even between identical twins.
The research team analyzed 114 pairs of identical twins and 80 pairs of fraternal twins worldwide and found that even under identical DNA sequences, different physiological reactions can occur due to differences in gene methylation. This is usually related to lifestyle, dietary habits, and environment, whether good or bad, it can also be passed on to the next generation.
This is the first time such a theory has been verified in humans, indicating that genes do not determine everything. These findings have been published in the internationally renowned journal Nature Genetics. Wang Sun-Chung stated that genetics has entered a new field. To pass on better gene methylation to the next generation, it is best to consume more vitamin B group and green vegetables, while drinking alcohol and consuming too much fat can plant bad roots for the next generation.
Reported by Lin Jingmei and Chen Boyu in Taipei.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 090120/ 51/ 1dbfd. html
Identical Twins, Different Fates
[Reporter Lin Jiaqi / Taipei Report]
Taiwan's genetic research has taken a significant leap forward! Assistant Professor Wang Sun-chung from the Institute of Systems Biology at Central University has studied the human methylation mechanism, observing that identical twins with identical genomes (DNA sequences) have the same innate conditions but different fates due to differences in their postnatal environment and habits. This discovery will revise the traditional "genetic determinism," proving that postnatal efforts can also lead to good genes, which can then be inherited as the greatest asset for the next generation.
Postnatal Efforts to Modify Methylation and Correct Bad Genes
Wang Sun-chung stated that while scientists have previously conducted methylation research on fruit flies, yeast, and mice, ethical considerations have delayed human experiments. However, the team found that although identical twins have the same genome, differences begin to emerge as they grow up due to factors such as diet, stress, and hormones. Therefore, they began a large-scale observation of 114 pairs of identical twins and 80 pairs of fraternal twins worldwide, analyzing the methylation distribution of their leukocyte, rectal, and oral cell genomes. They discovered that "the similarity of genome methylation in identical twins is higher than in fraternal twins," implying that DNA methylation differences have hereditary potential and also confirming the significant impact of lifestyle behaviors and habits beyond genes.
Both the genome and the methylation on the genome determine a person's appearance through inheritance. Interestingly, "DNA cannot be changed, but methylation is reversible," meaning that bad genes can be corrected through exercise and diet. Conversely, the adverse health effects caused by smoking, excessive drinking, and irregular lifestyles not only harm oneself but also affect future generations, potentially leading to a whole family of diseases.
To maintain methylation expression, people must take responsibility for themselves and not always blame innate genes. Wang Sun-chung said that healthy mothers with hereditary diseases in their families, if they suspect they are at high risk of unfavorable methylation, can undergo genetic screening and health maintenance, possibly ending familial hereditary diseases themselves and giving birth to healthy babies.
Eating More Onions, Garlic, and Foods Containing Vitamin B Group
Regularly consuming foods like onions, garlic, beets, and those containing folic acid and the Vitamin B group can provide good methylation, while high-calorie and high-fat foods should be eaten less. Wang Sun-chung emphasized the importance of a balanced diet and absolutely not eating only meat without vegetables.
Wang Sun-chung indicated that the field of "epigenomics," which concerns the effects outside the genome, is developing in recent years and could be used in the future to establish a methylation database to help doctors screen for congenital and hereditary diseases. The findings have been published in the top international scientific journal "Nature Genetics."
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 090121/ 78/ 1dbxl. html