Taking a First Step: Epigenetic Health and Responsibility

Abstract

Confronted with epigenetic challenges, individuals are likely to opt for a number of possible responses: they could ignore potential risk, avoid detrimental triggers, maximize risk reduction measures, seek out pharmacological interventions, or take the opposite approach and pursue strategies for epigenetic enhancement. After introducing these responses, the chapter reflects on the interplay between response and responsibility. We continue by recommending the establishment of an integrated public health policy framework that is capable of protecting the public interest as well as guiding a process of transformational change toward assigning greater responsibility to individuals for their and their family's short and long-term epigenetic health outcomes.