Challenges Epigenetics Has Brought Us

Research in human epigenetic inheritance itself is a challenge

because humans have long life spans, expanding the time needed to track further than one generation extremely time consuming. Humans also have greater genetic diversity, creating a challenge in the ability to rule out genetic differences. The only reason we know epigenetic inheritance is taking place is because of Dr. Lars Olov's research and what we've come upon since the discovery of epigenetics ourselves.

To Prove Epigenetic Inheritance In Humans, Researchers Have To Prove That:

• Epigenetic inheritance will be passed on to future generations, but not because of direct exposure. For example a pregnant mother who smokes will affect herself, the fetus, and the fetus's reproductive cells, but it also has to affect the 4th not-yet existent generation. If the 4th generation is affected by smoking but is itself smoking or exposed to second hand smoke, that does count (2).
• Genetic changes cannot be a possibility. Genetic changes are possible in all individuals so it's hard to rule out whether the genes changed based on enviromental factors or not (2).