Epigenetics and learning

Epigenetics, the new field of biology, has given us a scientific explanation model for how the environment influences gene expressions. ‘Epi’ means ‘above’ and describes mechanisms that are situated ‘above’ the base-pair order in the DNA. The benefits of our increased understanding of epigenetics encompass many fields, among them learning. Since the same epigenetic mechanisms seem to be involved in learning, stress and physical exercise, we have a scientific tool to conduct investigations of the correlations between these. In a broader sense, epigenetics brings scientific data to the classical gene-environment-debate. It is important for school staff and school policy-makers to grasp the key concepts of epigenetics, as it probably soon will be part of the scientific literacy.