title: The ghost in our genes: legal and ethical implications of epigenetics.
abstract: Epigenetics is one of the most scientifically important, and legally and ethically significant, cutting-edge subjects of scientific discovery. Epigenetics link environmental and genetic influences on the traits and characteristics of an individual, and new discoveries reveal that a large range of environmental, dietary, behavioral, and medical experiences can significantly affect the future development and health of an individual and their offspring. This article describes and analyzes the ethical and legal implications of these new scientific findings.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Bioethics, Health Policy and Law, University of Louisville School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rothstein
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Gary E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Marchant
mesh_terms: D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000941:ethics*; D005823:Genetics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States