Behavioral Epigenetics in Children: Exploring the Social and Ethical Implications of Translation - Epigenetics has become an area of growing interest for scientists, physicians, policymakers, and the public.
Referring to molecular processes that alter gene expression without changing DNA sequence, epigenetics
suggests that factors including diet, toxins, stress, trauma, and parental care may have lasting impacts on
intergenerational health. These claims have brought renewed attention to the implications of epigenetics for
understandings of health, disease, and individual responsibility. This K99/R00 Award is a five-year training and
research project that will use qualitative and bioethical methods to address the social and ethical implications
of epigenetics related to child health. The specific aims are: 1) to describe, based on in-depth interviews, how
scientific investigators conceptualize epigenetic mechanisms and the implications these views have for
understandings of genetic risks and responsibilities related to children's psychiatric, behavioral, and
neurodevelopmental health; 2) to conduct 3 ethnographic case studies of community-based intervention
programs where epigenetic findings are used to improve children's psychiatric, behavioral, and
neurodevelopmental health; and 3) to perform normative analyses, based on findings from Aims 1 and 2, to
identify the social and ethical implications of epigenetics in research and community settings. To date, no study
has systematically investigated the conceptualizations and processes involved in the production, translation,
and application of epigenetic findings related to child health. This study will be the first to collect and analyze
empirical evidence to understand the perspectives of differently positioned stakeholders on this important
public health issue. This evidence will be used to inform recommendations for the ethical conduct and
translation of epigenetics across research, clinical, and community settings. The candidate will receive
mentored training in genetics and epigenetics, bioethics, and quantitative methods to facilitate the research
and career development goals of this project. The candidate's career goals are: 1) to develop a high-quality,
independently funded research program exploring the influence of the genome sciences – including
epigenetics – on contemporary conceptualizations of health, disease, and responsibility; 2) to generate
empirical research that aids in better understanding the ethical and social implications of epigenetics; and 3) to
inform future research and policy related to the implementation of epigenetic and genomic findings related to
child health in research, clinical, and community settings. During the K99 phase of this project, the candidate's
training will include coursework, directed readings, and the guidance of an accomplished, multidisciplinary
mentor team with extensive experience supporting young investigators. This Award will allow the candidate to
transition into an independent ELSI researcher with expertise in the empirical study of the implications of
genomics and epigenetics for how we conceptualize and understand health, disease, and individual
responsibility–an ELSI research priority in the area of Broader Societal Issues.
