Product Description

Identical twins share the same genes and are often startlingly alike. Why, then, should they often meet such different fates one twin developing a serious disease like cancer while the other remains unscathed? In a compelling scientific detective story, The Ghost in Your Genes explores the provocative idea that there may be more to inheritance than genes alone. New clues reveal that a second epigenetic chemical code sits on top of our regular DNA and controls how our genes are expressed, turning them on or off with dramatic consequences for our health.

This revolutionary finding has vital implications not only for treating disease but for how we take care of ourselves. While we inherit the epigenome much as we do DNA, it appears to respond far more to our environment and lifestyles. So our stress levels and what we eat, drink, and breathe may leave an enduring imprint, not just on our own bodies but on the generations to come. In a tour-de-force of scientific sleuthing, NOVA reveals the discoveries that have overturned the old story of inheritance and have profound relevance for how we choose to lead our lives.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13852 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-01-14
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Dubbed in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 56 minutes

Customer Reviews

ghost in your genes
as a physician practising cutting edge medicine, i can't tell you how pleased i am that nova did a story on this subject. i use methyl B12 shots in autism to help with defects in this biochemistry, but it is also effecting their epigenome, which explains why so many kids with autism and even chronic fatigue benefit from it. i tell all patients to avoid pesticides in foods. the study discussed in the nova segment, explains how the epigenome of rats is effected for many generations after the exposure of the pregnant rat, from tumors to prostate problems. amazing, a must watch for all who are interested in health and prevention. i made my first year medical students at usc watch it

Great Epigentics video
I found this to be an excellent video. My students were fascinated that events that happened to grandparents could have medical effects on them. We have studied epigenetics in high school classes and this program explained them very clearly with new examples. Overall, a great resource.

Fascinating
I saw some excerpts on YouTube, got super excited, and knew I had to have this. My mom is a retired biologist and I watched it with her and my brother, we all found it incredibly exciting. I have long held the belief that environment and experience can actually alter the DNA and then be passed down to future generations; but now there is actual scientific evidence to substantiate what before would have been considered my "woo woo" ideas. The implications are complex and far reaching. After seeing this my mom wistfully expressed regrets at not being 20 all over again just so that she could go into the field of genetics at this juncture in history. Epigenetics is a fairly new field, and we have just barely begun to scratch the surface. For us this DVD unfolded like a real thriller, and I was disappointed when it was over because I wanted there to be more; although in fact, it is packed with so much amazing information that it really needs multiple viewings to fully digest all the information contained therein. We can't wait until there really IS more that can be substantiated. In the meantime, I will continue with my "way out" ideas, feeling at least slightly more vindicated. If you only have an attention span of 15 seconds and your world is about the latest tweet you received on your blackberry, this program is NOT for you; on the other hand, if you are interested in the myriad possibilities that exist regarding the nature of our universe and reality, or even just have some background in either the physical or life sciences, this is an absolute MUST HAVE for your library. You won't be disappointed!