Envíe este artículo por correo electrónico Más allá del determinismo: epigenética, libertad y responsabilidad social
Resumen
La epigenética ha transformado la comprensión de cómo los factores ambientales y sociales influyen en la biología humana sin alterar la secuencia del ADN. Este trabajo revisa la evolución histórica del concepto, los mecanismos epigenéticos centrales, metilación del ADN, modificaciones de histonas y ARN no codificante, y su papel en la regulación génica, la plasticidad neuronal y el desarrollo. Se destaca cómo las experiencias tempranas adversas (ELA) pueden modificar de forma duradera los sistemas de estrés, la función inmunitaria y los circuitos neuronales a través de mecanismos epigenéticos, aumentando la vulnerabilidad a trastornos neuropsiquiátricos. Al mismo tiempo, se analizan los procesos de resiliencia, la plasticidad epigenética y la posibilidad de reversión parcial de estas marcas mediante ambientes protectores e intervenciones psicosociales. El artículo integra perspectivas de la epigenética social, resaltando la influencia de los determinantes sociales de la salud en el envejecimiento, la enfermedad y las desigualdades intergeneracionales. Finalmente, se discuten las implicancias éticas y conceptuales del determinismo epigenético y la necesidad de enfoques interdisciplinarios para interpretar y comunicar estos hallazgos de manera responsable.
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