The relatively new science of epigenetics is all about the ways we've recently discovered

that the traits in your DNA can be expressed or not expressed, sometimes in artificial

ways.

And to a layperson, this sounds like there might be magical solutions right around the corner

to let all of us take charge of our genetic code.

At least, that's what the clever marketers want you to think, who sell just this very

promise.

Epigenetics Blue is coming up next on Skeptoid.

You're listening to Skeptoid.

I'm Brian Dunning from Skeptoid.com.

Epigenetics Blue.

Epigenetics is one of those buzzwords that you might not have heard before, and if you

have, chances are that it was in the context of a snake oil pitch for how you can miraculously

control your body's genes.

It's not a brand new science, but it's one whose popularity and interest level have exploded

over the past decade and a half or so.

When a relatively new science bursts onto the public scene like this, it's often because

it comes with the promise for incredible new cures or powers.

And that's just what we see with epigenetics.

It claims that you can change your behavior a bit and tweak your body's genes to be

just the way you want them.

And then, you can even pass these traits along to your children.

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