🧬Epigenetics & Health Equity: Part One/4 - The Shadow of Eugenics🧬
- Vital Gnosis Team
- Sep 11, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 13, 2024
I
The Shadow of Eugenics
A Genetically Sabotageous Movement
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marred by the rise and institutionalization of eugenics, a pseudoscientific ideology rooted in the misguided belief that selective breeding could "improve" the human race. This movement, fueled by social prejudices and a flawed understanding of genetics, led to forced sterilizations, segregation, and even genocide, primarily targeting marginalized communities based on race, ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status (Bailey et al., 2017).
"While widely condemned today, the harmful legacy of eugenics remains insidious, influencing social and healthcare policies and perpetuating current health inequities." (Braveman & Gottlieb, 2014)
The eugenics movement's emphasis on genetic determinism has contributed to the persistent misconception that health disparities are primarily rooted in biological differences between groups, neglecting the crucial role of social, economic, and environmental factors (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017).
Moreover, the historical trauma inflicted by eugenic policies continues to impact marginalized communities, leading to mistrust in healthcare systems and hindering access to quality care. Epigenetic research has further revealed that the effects of trauma can be transmitted across generations, potentially contributing to health disparities observed today (Heard & Martienssen, 2014; Landecker & Panofsky, 2013).
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Eugenics' Legacy: The harmful impact of eugenics persists today, influencing policies and perpetuating health inequities.
Misconception of Genetic Determinism: Eugenics has fueled the misconception that health disparities are solely due to biological differences, ignoring social and environmental factors.
Historical Trauma: The trauma inflicted by eugenic policies continues to affect marginalized communities, leading to mistrust in healthcare and hindering access to care.
Epigenetics: Research suggests that the effects of trauma can be passed down through generations, potentially contributing to current health disparities.
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The Path Forward ✅️
A new Legacy
It is essential to acknowledge and address the lingering legacy of eugenics to achieve health equity.
What are the requirements?
Dismantling structural racism and discrimination embedded in social and healthcare systems.
Investing in community-led initiatives that empower marginalized populations (Bailey et al., 2017).
We secure a more just and equitable future by understanding the historical context of health inequities and actively working to dismantle their root causes.
Beyond Genetic Determinism
The Central Dogma, while groundbreaking, inadvertently fostered a limited view of human potential, emphasizing genes over the environment. 🧬
Adding to the complexity, the Central Dogma of molecular biology, while fundamental to understanding gene expression, inadvertently contributed to a reductionist view of human potential. Focusing solely on the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein reinforced the idea that genes dictate our health and destiny alone. This overemphasis on genetic determinism overshadowed the crucial role of environmental factors and the dynamic nature of gene expression, as revealed by the field of epigenetics.
Epigenetics: The Key to Change
Epigenetics challenges this narrative, revealing how our experiences and choices can influence our gene expression. 🌱 This understanding paves the way for a more holistic and equitable approach to health. 🌈
This paper argues that transitioning from a solely genetic deterministic view of health to one encompassing holistic health and epigenetic recovery is paramount for dismantling latent eugenics and achieving health equity. By understanding how our experiences and choices can shape our gene expression, we can empower individuals and communities to take control of their well-being and dismantle the legacy of discriminatory practices rooted in genetic determinism.
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Get involved in advocating for health equity and holistic health practices.
Take charge of your health and well-being today! 💪
Prepare for Part Two, where we question epigenetics contextual to holistic health, only at https://www.vitalgnosis.com/blog
Thank you for reading!
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The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only, not medical advice regarding your specific health questions or concerns.
References
Bailey, Z. D., Krieger, N., Agénor, M., Graves, J., Linos, N., & Bassett, M. T. (2017). Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: Evidence and interventions. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1453-1463.
Braveman, P., & Gottlieb, L. (2014). The social determinants of health: It's time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 129(Suppl 2), 19-31.
Feinberg, A. P. (2007). Phenotypic plasticity and the epigenetics of human disease. Nature, 447(7143), 433-440.
Heard, E., & Martienssen, R. A. (2014). Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance: Myths and mechanisms. Cell, 157(1), 95-109.
Kuzawa, C. W., & Sweet, E. (2009). Epigenetics and the embodiment of race: Developmental origins of US racial disparities in cardiovascular health. American Journal of Human Biology, 21(1), 2-15.
Landecker, H., & Panofsky, A. (2013). From social structure to gene regulation, and back: A critical introduction to environmental epigenetics for sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 39, 333-357.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Communities in action: Pathways to health equity. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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