What is it about?
Behavioral epigenetics is starting to reveal how early adverse experiences are embedded in our biology during early development. In the present work, researchers are warned about the risk of a reductive interpretation of behavioral epigenetics. The application of behavioral epigenetics to the field of preterm birth and neonatal care holds potentialities to avoid reductionism and to convey a complex perspective on early development in infants at developmental risk.
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Why is it important?
New discoveries hold the risk of being over-interpreted in reductive ways. Behavioral epigenetics, highlighting the ways through which early exposure to adverse experiences contribute to long-lasting modifications of DNA functioning and the emerging phenotype, is not immune to this risk. Here we propose a specific field of human behavioral epigenetics (i.e., preterm behavioral epigenetics) in which a complex point of view should be preserved.
Perspectives
As behavioral epigenetics is still at its beginning, I believe that this paper might be helpful in suggesting researchers to be cautious when they interpret and disseminate results. A careful scientific communication is the best way to contribute to smarter care for human infants.
Dr Livio Provenzi
Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: “Epigenethics” in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, JAMA Pediatrics, July 2015, American Medical Association (AMA),
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.43.
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