factual

Epigenetic Inheritance Is Overhyped

The term epigenetics has been hijacked by people with a neo-Lamarckian bent to suggest cytoplasmic gene-expression states get inherited across generations; while a few rare cases (e.g., maternal stress affecting offspring gene expression) do occur, these effects do not persist indefinitely like true genetic mutation and don't deserve the attention they receive.

factualpending

Speaker

Richard Dawkins

Evidence Quote

just occasionally there may be epigenetic effects which do pass on to the next generation maybe even to the grandchild generation but it's not one of these things that goes on forever like true genetic mutation

Source

174 - Life MindMaking Sense with Sam Harris
Created: 6/14/2026, 2:37:27 AM

My Notes

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