Why do we grow up to look, act, and feel as we do? Through most of the twentieth century, scientists and laypeople answered this question by referring to two factors alone: our experiences and our genes. But recent discoveries about how genes work have revealed a new way to understand the developmental origins of our characteristics. These discoveries have emerged from the new science of behavioral epigenetics--and just as the whole world has now heard of DNA, "epigenetics" will be a household word in the near future. Behavioral epigenetics is important because it explains how our experiences get under our skin and influence the activity of our genes. Because of breakthroughs in this field, we now know that the genes we're born with don't determine if we'll end up easily stressed, likely to fall ill with cancer, or possessed of a powerful intellect. Instead, what matters is what our genes do. And because research in behavioral epigenetics has shown that our experiences influence how our genes function, this work has changed how scientists think about nature, nurture, and human development. Diets, environmental toxins, parenting styles, and other environmental factors all influence genetic activity through epigenetic mechanisms; this discovery has the potential to alter how doctors treat diseases, and to change how mental health professionals treat conditions from schizophrenia to post-traumatic stress disorder. These advances could also force a reworking of the theory of evolution that dominated twentieth century biology, and even change how we think about human nature itself. In spite of how important this research is, behavioral epigenetics is still relatively unknown to non-biologists. The Developing Genome is an introduction to this exciting new discipline; it will allow readers without a background in biology to learn about this work and its revolutionary implications.

About the Author
David S. Moore is a professor of psychology at Pitzer College and Claremont Graduate University in southern California. He received his PhD in developmental and biological psychology from Harvard University. A developmental cognitive neuroscientist with expertise in infant cognition, his theoretical writings have explored the contributions of genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors to human development. His book The Dependent Gene was widely adopted for use in undergraduate education and was nominated for the Cognitive Development Society's Best Authored Volume award.

Reviews
Moore's book provides an excellent introduction to any serious lay reader wishing to get a
grasp on what is meant by "epigenetics." At the same time, it provides a higher-level
discussion that specialists in different disciplines outside of biology and psychology will
find stimulating and challenging. The wealth of research findings cited and discussed by
Moore will give any serious reader pleasure and pause for thought.



Book Information
ISBN 9780199922345
Author David S. Moore
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 544g
Dimensions(mm) 165mm * 236mm * 31mm