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Tracy Nguyen
Professor Malcolm Campbell
UWRIT 1103
10/4/16

Topic Proposal: Effects Traumas have on Human Epigenetics and the Nature vs. Nurture
Debate on Epigenetics
Introduction/Overview
Every living matter has DNA, a universal template to store genetic material. Within DNA
are genes, which carry the instructions to create different proteins, forming phenotypes or
physical characteristics of an individual. However, genes are not the only factor that determines
phenotypes. There is a higher power that controls the activation of those genes, called
epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene
expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. Studies have been carried out to show
how epigenetics alter gene expression by testing on monozygotic twins, ideal subjects who have
the exact genome. Sometimes it can be studied on a large group of people who have experienced
the same traumatic events.
The topic that interests me is effects traumas have on human epigenetics. I have always
been passionate about human genomes and how they have the ability to manipulate a persons
biology. Last year I read a book in called Survival of the Sickest by Dr. Sharon Moalem and
Jonathan Prince. The book is about the reasons why harmful diseases go against the idea of
survival of the fittest and keep being passed on through generations. It was an interesting book
and made me want to investigate further into the topics, especially into epigenetics. With that

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said, I will be researching on how traumas or generation-wide events leave marks on human
epigenetics.

For further research, I will be looking for more information online from sites like
Wikipedia, National Institutes of Health, etc. I will be rereading the book Survival of the Sickest
and watching the movie Gattaca since they contain a lot of helpful information. I will visit the
library to find books that are related to epigenetics. I will also be confronting my biology teacher
or the librarian with any questions regarding my topic.
Epigenetics have opened a new aspect of medical research. It could be a key to cure
many diseases without complex gene alteration. People who are involved in researching are
scientists, doctors, pharmacists, psychiatrists, and everyone else in the medical field. There are
new discoveries on epigenetics every day on CNN and WebMD, therefore there are still hopes for
people with incurable diseases.

Initial Inquiry Question(s)

What is the science behind genes being switched on and switched off? How do
generation-wide traumas and events leave marks on a population/persons epigenetics? How has
the nature vs nurture debate changed since epigenetics were discovered?

My Interest in this Topic

Im interested in the topic because I love biology. I am that kind of person who easily
gets bored but I have always been passionate about biology. Last year I took AP Biology in high
school and I am grateful for having such an amazing teacher. She inspired me to love and
appreciate biology even more. One of the biology topics that I am interested in the most is

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genetics. Human genetics are complex yet intriguing. I had thought DNA and genes were the
essential reason for why we are who we are before I knew about epigenetics. Epigenetics means
above the genome due to its ability to modify genes or the primary coding system. I have
learned some mechanisms epigenetics use to control gene expression, as well as how these
mechanisms are utilized to help with the medical field. I want to investigate more about the
changes in genes of people who have experienced traumas in the past.

Next Steps
I will be searching for some books that have information about epigenetics and human
history and visiting the library. I will also be following websites like What is Epigenetics and
NCBI to keep up with the current discoveries and news on epigenetics. I will be talking to my
teacher to ask if she has any recommendation on books I should read or where to find helpful
information.