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Genomic imprinting can influence behavior from "summary" of The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins,Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science Richard Dawkins,David Dawkins,RICHARD AUTOR DAWKINS
Genomic imprinting can indeed influence behavior in fascinating ways. This phenomenon involves certain genes being switched off depending on whether they are inherited from the mother or the father. As a result, only one copy of the gene is active, and this can have significant effects on an individual's behavior. For example, there are genes that control how much a newborn mammal will suckle. In a study with mice, it was found that those with a certain gene inherited from their mother suckled more vigorously than those with the same gene inherited from their father. This difference in behavior was attributed to genomic imprinting, which affected the expression of the gene in question. In another intriguing case, researchers discovered that a gene associated with obesity was imprinted differently depending on whether it came from the mother or the father. Mice with the gene from their mother were small and lean, while those with the gene from their father were large and obese. This suggests that genomic imprinting can play a role in determining an individual's body size and weight. Furthermore, studies have shown that certain imprinted genes can influence social behavior. For instance, there is a gene that affects how much a mouse will groom itself. When this gene is inherited from the mother, the mouse grooms itself more frequently than when it is inherited from the father. This indicates that genomic imprinting can impact not only physical traits but also social interactions.- Genomic imprinting provides a fascinating insight into how genes can influence behavior in complex ways. By understanding how certain genes are switched off depending on their parental origin, we can gain a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of behavior. This concept highlights the intricate interplay between genetics and behavior, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that shape our actions and interactions.
