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Epigenetics and DOHaD: how translation to predictive testing will require a better public understanding

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2021

Fiona Lynch Open the ORCID record for Fiona Lynch [Opens in a new window] ,
Sharon Lewis ,
Ivan Macciocca  and
Jeffrey M. Craig
Fiona Lynch
Affiliation:
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Sharon Lewis
Affiliation:
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Ivan Macciocca
Affiliation:
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Jeffrey M. Craig*
Affiliation:
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia IMPACT – the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Jeffrey M. Craig, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia. Email: jeffrey.craig@deakin.edu.au
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Abstract

Epigenetics is likely to play a role in the mediation of the effects of genes and environment in risk for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory presents unique opportunities regarding the possibility of early life interventions to alter the epigenetic makeup of an individual, thereby modifying their risk for a variety of NCDs. While it is important to determine how we can lower the risk of these NCDs, it is equally important to understand how the public’s knowledge and opinion of DOHaD and epigenetic concepts may influence their willingness to undertake such interventions for themselves and their children. In this review, we provide an overview of epigenetics, DOHaD, NCDs, and the links between them. We explore the issues surrounding using epigenetics to identify those at increased risk of NCDs, including the concept of predictive testing of children. We also outline what is currently understood about the public’s understanding and opinion of epigenetics, DOHaD, and their relation to NCDs. In doing so, we demonstrate that it is essential that future research explores the public’s awareness and understanding of epigenetics and epigenetic concepts. This will provide much-needed information which will prepare health professionals for the introduction of epigenetic testing into future healthcare.

Keywords

EpigeneticsDevelopmental Origins of Health and Diseasepublic opinionearly life originsfirst 1000 days
Type
Review
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , August 2022 , pp. 424 - 430
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

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