Contemporary science has seen other factors other than the role of the genetic code in determining human biology. Factors such as the environment are an unavoidable aspect

Diabetes runs in my family. Almost all seniors of my family become members of the club later in their age. When I was told to reduce sugar intake in my diet, neither was I surprised nor did I feel any remorse. Being an elderly working person and not having enough time to look after my health, I thought the time had come to embrace the genetic mark of the family.

We have understood the heredity mechanism taking place in living beings, i.e., the genetic code of parents passed on to us is the programme running our biological system.

On the basis of the conventional knowledge of science, progenies are the continuation of their parents, and transfer of the behavioural pattern and physical features is a natural process. The information present in the parents’ DNA is carried down to the offspring.

Finally, information present in the DNA makes proteins responsible for making up a living body. Do all the genetic codes present in there get expressed in the offspring? It is clear that only selective genetic codes of the mother and father are expressed as characteristics in the offspring.

The supreme rule of genetics over human biology has been understood deeper than ever before. With the advent of modern science like epigenetics, conversation regarding supremacy of the genetic code (DNA) in forming life is changing. Does DNA work independently to determine the biological condition of the body? The answer may be ‘No’. It should not be the ultimate force determining whether we should be diabetic, non-diabetic or something else.

Contemporary science has seen other factors other than the role of the genetic code in determining human biology. Factors such as the environment are an unavoidable aspect. Even conventional knowledge about science does not ignore the role of the environment completely. It is a temporary effect, which does not change the genetic code within a short time.

The genetic code has a greater role while the foetus is developing in the mother’s womb. After the birth, the baby gets exposed to the outer world, which influences him/her immensely.

All kinds of information or stimuli of the outer environmental conditions are interacting with the physical, mental and emotional conditions. The information from the environment works as ‘signals’ in the expression of the genetic code, stimulating the DNA to ‘turn on’ or ‘turn off’. If the signals are able to ‘turn on’ the DNA, the character gets expressed.

But then, which environmental signal is responsible for causing the DNA to get stimulated or to respond? Or is it that we ourselves become aware of the stimuli and attract these ‘signals’? The answer is ‘yes’. It is clear that the signals that are sent inward are going to determine the type of proteins made and ultimately the body. So, our own physical, mental and emotional conditions determine which ‘signals’ of the environment to pick to coerce the DNA into work.

So the root cause of deadly diseases is not only heredity. Behavioral and environmental triggers are the ‘signals’ which stimulate the DNA to produce cancerous cells. Even in the case of diabetes, environmental and behavioural factors play a dominant role over heredity in initiating the disease. Nutrition is widely accepted as a reason behind the disease.

The ‘signals’ from the environment are perceptions of the human mind. The way our mind works changes our state of being. Besides, we analyse the facts on the basis of our belief system. The perceptions originate mostly from the belief system an individual holds, which, in turn, is a byproduct of the culture and conditions we live in.

The stress of modern lifestyle, food and exposure to chemicals and all other adverse conditions constitute our environment. Generally, stress refers to the hustle of day to day life, like time constraints or deadlines, inability to meet the expected level of performance, relationship obligations. Even the brighter side like getting into a new relationship or marriage, arrival of a newborn, celebration of big occasions can cause stress. When cells and organs work under such stressful conditions, they tend to malfunction.

Shunning oneself from detrimental environmental conditions is an easy way of shielding ourselves against harm. The major part of the harm is initiated by the mental and emotional lethargy to fight back. When our mind is engaged in productive work and creative thoughts are governing us, there is a possibility that we will activate the DNA to build up healthy cells needed for constructive work. The inner calmness allows our physiological condition to work in the best natural way to create a disease-free body.

Furthermore, human intelligence has the power to intensify or neutralise the perceptions made about anything. They get purified as thoughts, which have tremendous impact on our behavioural pattern and eventually our biology. So, how do we maintain ourselves in a given environment?

Whichever direction the world spins or whatever direction scientific studies and findings move, our health conditions and inner peace matter more to us. Sound health is not merely a piece of good luck or a favour by the genetic code, it is careful nurturing and appreciation of your own mind and body. Destiny does not have the power to make us a victim. The power lies in our own ways of looking at the world.