Genes Aren't Your Destiny

The science of epigenetics is showing that your environment and your choices can influence for genetic code, and therefore of your kids also. Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity which do not change the genetic code, but is still passed down to at least one successive generation. Patterns of gene expression are controlled by the epigenome. These epigenetic marks tell your genes to either switch 'on' or 'off'. Environmental factors such as dieting, stress, or the amount of your nutrition can cause these epigenetics marks to make an imprint on your genes, which could be passed onto the next generation, and the next. The change in gene activity can be good.. and bad. A factor such as smoking or eating too much could trigger the genes of obesity, and make it stronger, or make the genes of longetivity, weaker. These "switches" to your genes could pass onto your children with obesity, diseases, and such. The good news is that scientists are learning to manipulate epigenetic marks, in order to learn how to "switch off" the bad genes and turn on the good ones. Epigenetics, however, is not evolution. DNA is not changed.
This relates to science and biology concepts because it is related to DNA, the proteins that make, you. The concept of epigenetics relates to the manipulation of DNA and being able to understand and dive into it more. Understanding epigenetics can help with knowing how to control the factors your body takes in, that could 'silence' the 'bad' genes. This could lead to preventing diseases and help us understand why species suffer from different health problems.
We care and want to learn more about epigenetics because this involves how to lead a better life for our children and ourselves. Knowing this, we could also improve the health of nonhuman organisms, as they also affect the environment, and we affect theirs. This could lead up to many different types of preventions.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1951968,00.html