It is becoming increasingly clear how external factors can affect our functioning. These factors have both direct influences on the individual and interact with hereditary predisposition. New traits developed in response to an external factor even turn out to be heritable, without changing the sequence of building blocks in the hereditary material. Our environment and our way of life thus determine the functioning of our own cells, but also the development of subsequent generations. Further scientific research in this area is of great social importance. Breakthroughs can be expected, for instance, in knowledge about brain functioning and behaviour. New insights are also possible into the development of chronic diseases, who is susceptible to them and how we can intervene in them.
Connecting character
This question includes fundamental molecular, cellular, animal modelling, behavioural and population research. Environmental factors such as nutrition, stress and living conditions can have a major impact on our well-being. For instance, a link between nutrition, in particular gut flora function, and brain functioning has recently been demonstrated. The occurrence of chronic diseases such as Crohn's disease has also been linked to nutrition. More knowledge about these influences can be gained in longitudinal observational studies from the prenatal phase onwards. This knowledge can be used to determine disease susceptibility and timely intervention, or to enable children to learn better. The research also interfaces with ethics: we need to determine when and how the knowledge acquired to influence people can be used by government and industry, for instance in neuromarketing. The questions are also relevant to legal practice, for instance to determine when behaviour is culpable and when biologically determined.
