Mother Jones recently ran a piece written and illustrated by editorial fellow, Joe Kloc, on the emerging science of epigenetics. In "The Illustrated Guide to Epigenetics," Kloc gives a basic introduction to epigenetics, and explores how non-genetic environmental factors such as smoking and stress can impact genetic expression. Considering that this important area of study receives considerably less attention than genetics, it is nice to see Mother Jones provide its readers with this pleasant primer. Of course, it remains to be seen if and how this emerging field will impact future medical, research and policy decisions.
By Jonathan Basile, Los Ángeles Review of Books | 04.29.2026
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WILLIAM BATESON, a foundational figure in the science of genetics at the turn of the last century, once recounted the response of a Scottish soldier to one of his public lectures: “Sir, what ye’re telling us is nothing but Scientific...
By Alex Aylward, Daniel J. Fairbanks, Maria Kiladi, and Gregory Radick , Heredity | 04.20.2026
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Genetics and eugenics co-evolved at the beginning of the twentieth century and remained associated through the 1940s and beyond. Early geneticists were far from unanimous in their views on eugenics; some avidly supported the movement, whereas others openly opposed it...
Following a recent podcast interview we were asked whether there is any solid scientific research looking at how gene expression or molecular composition in genetically modified (GM) plants differs from conventionally bred plants. As this is an interesting and important...
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