Abstract
Epigenetics can be considered as a continuation of genetics. Even if it includes environmental factors in its analyses, the focus remains on the cellular-molecular perspective on the organism. However, epigenetics expands the spectrum of what is known from the discussion about ethical aspects of genetics in two regards. First of all, the inclusion of environmental factors causes the relationship of the individual that is provided with predictive diagnoses to change with this knowledge. Secondly, this correlation leads to the question as to how the instrumentally useful epigenetic findings for the patient can be embedded in the applicable context of social-communicative action that is relevant for the patient’s everyday life.
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Boldt, J. (2017). Genetics, Epigenetics and Forms of Action. About the Ethical Ambivalence of Epigenetic Knowledge. In: Heil, R., Seitz, S., König, H., Robienski, J. (eds) Epigenetics. Technikzukünfte, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft / Futures of Technology, Science and Society. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-14460-9_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-14460-9_6
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