Re: Epigenetics redefined

"Tim Tyler" <seemysig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ffmobq$24ek$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This post is about the term "Epigenetic".

``Waddington, originally defined the term epigenetics as 'the
interactions of genes with their environment that bring the
phenotype into being'. Today, the term is used to describe
the study of heritable changes in genome function that occur
without a change in DNA sequence.''

- http://www.epigenome-noe.net/aboutus/epigenetics.php

These guys are using the term "epigenome" - to refer
to a type of heritable information. There is even
discussion of the "epigenetic code".

Apparently this alternative usage dates back to 1996:

``The modern usage of the word "epigenetic" is more narrow,
referring to heritable traits (over rounds of cell division
and sometimes transgenerationally) that do not involve changes
to the underlying DNA sequence.''

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics#Etymology_and_Definitions

I was perfectly happy with Waddington's terminology.

Introducing new meanings seems to me to have substantial
scope for causing confusion. Plus it seems to me that
Waddington's terminology was much better and more useful.

My immediate reaction is to resist/reject the attempt
to hijack this term, and to continue using "epigenetics"
as before.

Any thoughts?

I think the new tighter (or stricter) definition is nicely narrow.

But that does not mean that I would not like a more elastic (and
philosophically tractable) defintion of epigenetics to be available in
parallel to the "strict definition of epigenetics".

I think we should equip ourselves with a terminology with which we can
realistically "roll with Nature's punches" and be prepared to parry its
plasticity and fend off fuzzy dividing-lines between some of its different
constituent factors and aspects.

P


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Epigenetics redefined
    ... originally defined the term epigenetics as 'the ... without a change in DNA sequence.'' ... The terminology I would /like/ for this stuff is information-centric. ... need revising just to deal with existing artificial life. ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: Epigenetics redefined
    ... originally defined the term epigenetics as 'the ... Apparently this alternative usage dates back to 1996: ... to the underlying DNA sequence.'' ... Waddington's terminology was much better and more useful. ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: Epigenetics redefined
    ... originally defined the term epigenetics as 'the ... Apparently this alternative usage dates back to 1996: ... to the underlying DNA sequence.'' ... Waddington's terminology was much better and more useful. ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Epigenetics redefined
    ... originally defined the term epigenetics as 'the ... Apparently this alternative usage dates back to 1996: ... to the underlying DNA sequence.'' ... Waddington's terminology was much better and more useful. ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)