Science & Nature

Beyond the Genetic Code

Epigenetics Is Revealing That Our Genes Are Not Our Destiny

Randy Jirtle

Molecular epigeneticist at Duke University, specializing in the role of epigenetics in development, disease, and transgenerational inheritance.

February 10, 2026·8 min read

Beyond the Genetic Code

Epigenetics — the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence — is transforming our understanding of inheritance, development, and disease. Your genes are not your destiny: how they are expressed is shaped by your environment, your experiences, and even the experiences of your parents and grandparents.

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epigeneticsgeneticsinheritancedevelopmentdisease

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