Category: Genomics

Louisa Ghevaert was delighted to attend the Nuffield Council on Bioethics workshop “Epigenetics in human reproduction” in central London on 11 March 2025. This event looked at the use and implications of epigenetics in human reproduction. It considered the inter-relationships between the reproductive environment, the epigenome, long-term health and assisted reproductive technologies. It went on to explore current and future scientific applications, ethical, legal and social implications. In doing so, it explored all sorts of important and complex questions and issues. How do you measure or control the environment? How effective may an intervention be and at what stage to optimise health, pregnancy and birth? How do you account for epigenetic responses (mechanisms that regulate gene expression without changing the DNA sequence) that differ between people? How reliable is epigenetic testing? How can you provide effective messaging? How do you address these issues from a policy perspective?