| Epigenetics is a new (well to some of us!) buzzword | | | | outside. This is specifically interesting for birth |
| in the field of egg donation for conception. Essentially | | | | mothers where it appears our identities may be |
| Epigenetics refers to factors outside the gene, such | | | | formed in the womb, linked to an exterior field of |
| as a cell's exposure to hormones or genetic variations | | | | energy. World Epigenetics studies are now focusing |
| that can modify a gene. Such factors can change | | | | on how donor conceived babies DNA may actually be |
| what is ultimately expressed; they can change a | | | | expressed based on the woman who carries that |
| phenotype i.e.: they can alter what an organism looks | | | | baby. The study of Epigenetics reveals that our lives |
| like as a consequence of the interaction of its gene | | | | are more than the sum of our inherited genes. During |
| AND the environment. In terms of conception via | | | | growth in the womb and after birth differences begin |
| egg donation that environment begins with the | | | | to reveal themselves due to specific genes being |
| womb of the birth mother. Some examples include | | | | active in some people and non-active I others. There |
| hormone and reproductive factors in a woman that | | | | are a number of reasons for certain genes to be |
| may influence the chances of breast and ovarian | | | | active and others not including the way the hosts |
| cancer. These factors are believed to be linked to a | | | | body functions, lifestyle and how we think and feel - |
| woman's exposure to estrogen and progesterone | | | | our emotions and reactions. The world of babies |
| and their effects on cell differentiation in the breast | | | | conceived via egg donation it's the woman carrying |
| that occur during pregnancy. | | | | the baby at the conception of life that starts the |
| Conventional science has historically linked cell | | | | process of which genes are active and non-active. |
| behaviour to the genes present. Latest research | | | | The birth mother helps shape the baby she carries |
| suggests however that cells send out signals unique | | | | from the moment that embryo is implanted in her |
| to an individual that I turn receives signals from the | | | | uterus. |