Nature Vs. Nurture Argument In Humans

The nature versus nurture argument is, and has been, one of the most hotly debated topics in modern science for decades. The argument of whether humans start out as a “blank slate” or Tabula Rasa, as opposed to being predisposed with certain environmental effects out of their control transcends even natural science and enters into the realms of philosophy and psychology. It is nearly undeniable that the ideas of Mendelian inheritance are sound theories, yet the argument for environmentally-induced and transmissible phenotypic changes is less agreed upon.6,7 This is opposed to epigenetics, which is indeed agreed upon, and, as mentioned previously, deals with changes in gene expression rather than the gene itself. Overall, this study has the potential to provide tangible evidence …show more content…
Exosomes have several characteristics which make them favorable candidates for epigenetic messengers. These characteristics include their ability to change cell physiology, selectivity, and their ability to have their own contents changed as a result of environmental stressors. It has been shown that embryonic stem cell derived exosomes can reprogram hematopoietic progenitors; in other words, they can induce these differentiated hematopoietic stem cells back into pluripotency through their molecular cargo.11 Furthermore, multiple studies have confirmed the selectivity of EVs and have confirmed that there are most likely multiple different routes by which they may seek out and deposit their contents into target cells; often through complementary surface proteins or through similar mechanisms as those in antigen-presenting cells.12 Lastly, the ability for the contents of exosomes to be altered based on environmental stressors has been proved through the work of Ferrante et al.,13 explained