Two decades of scientific discovery has revealed the incredible complexity of human genetics and solved many mysteries of individual health and well-being from conception to old age.  We've confirmed what was long suspected: There are thousands of common and rare variations in the genome and each one of us is sure to carry some that are associated with impaired health, disease and life limiting conditions.  However, risky genes are only part of the story.  We have also learned about 'epigenetics' and the way genes are 'expressed'.

A simple illustration of gene expression is to think about the sound coming from a piano. A note can be varied in volume and tone - dialled up or down. In fact, we even use the term 'expression' when talking about the way music is played.  Similarly, gene expression is always being influenced by nutrition, lifestyle and the totality of our environmental exposures.  This starts long before birth and continues through the life span.  While we can't go back and rewrite the history of our genes, we can change our future. The potential to alter gene expression is good news -  By harnessing the complexity of genomic information and epigenetic change we can improve health and bring about lasting well-being.