Perceptions of epigenetics

Abstract

Geneticists study the gene; however, for epigeneticists, there is no obvious 'epigene'. Nevertheless, during the past year, more than 2,500 articles, numerous scientific meetings and a new journal were devoted to the subject of epigenetics. It encompasses some of the most exciting contemporary biology and is portrayed by the popular press as a revolutionary new science - an antidote to the idea that we are hard-wired by our genes. So what is epigenetics? ©2007 Nature Publishing Group.