Question

How would the forces of nature and nurture combine with epigenetic influences to induce change in a species? What types of changes will be necessary for our species to survive? Will these changes allow for the preservation of our planet and other species?

Answer 1

Individual variation is the substance of evolutionary change, and understanding the organization of variation among individuals is both the original, and the future, frontier in environmental epigenetics.

For the longest time, the nature-nurture debate has been cast as a kind of contest between genes and experiences. The thought was that we might have some characteristics that are caused primarily by genetic factors and other characteristics that are caused primarily by experiential factors. What epigenetics is making clear is that’s a faulty way to think about the situation, because it’s not true that genes do things independently of their contexts. Instead, genes do what they do because of the contexts that they’re in. Nature and nurture are always working together to produce all of our traits.

The epigenome can be affected by positive experiences, such as supportive relationships and opportunities for learning, or negative influences, such as environmental toxins or stressful life circumstances, which leave a unique epigenetic “signature” on the genes. These signatures can be temporary or permanent and both types affect how easily the genes are switched on or off. Recent research demonstrates that there may be ways to reverse certain negative changes and restore healthy functioning, but that takes a lot more effort, may not be successful at changing all aspects of the signatures, and is costly. Thus, the very best strategy is to support responsive relationships and reduce stress to build strong brains from the beginning, helping children grow up to be healthy, productive members of society.

When conditions change, some species possess adaptations that allow them to survive and reproduce, while others do not. If the environment changes slowly enough, species will sometimes evolve the necessary adaptations, over many generations. If conditions change more quickly than a species can evolve, however, and if members of that species lack the traits they need to survive in the new environment, the likely result will be extinction.

Species destroy natural landscapes as they mine resources and urbanize areas Pollution can occur from the runoff or disposal of chemical substances Humans constantly consume resources for their own needs.

The current climate change Earth is facing is caused by the increase in global temperatures.....other species can also be come in danger ...in case of human they use animals for their own benefits and due to this some species are extinct and some are on the edge of extinction