1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny" by John Cloud.
See this story on the web.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Jan. 18, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Enclosed you will find the first major magazine story to be published about epigenetics, the science of how environment can change genes, even in one lifetime. The story takes readers on a scientific journey from the northernmost province of Sweden to the labs of the Salk Institute in California and to the office of a highly entertaining genetics professor in London. As the story says, epigenetics brings both good news and bad. Bad news first: there's evidence that lifestyle choices like smoking and overeating can change the epigenetic "marks" — chemical instructions atop your DNA — in ways that cause genes to change during your lifetime. For instance, smoking can dial down genes for longevity, and then you can pass along those weakened longevity genes to your children. The good news: scientists are learning to manipulate epigenetic marks to develop drugs that treat illness simply by silencing bad genes and jump-starting good ones. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved an epigenetic drug for the first time. Azacitidine is used to treat patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of rare and deadly blood malignancies. The drug uses epigenetic marks to quiet genes in blood cells that have become overexpressed. According to Celgene Corp. — the Summit, N.J., company that makes azacitidine — people given a diagnosis of serious MDS live a median of two years on azacitidine; those taking conventional blood medications live just 15 months. This story takes readers into uncharted scientific territory in a way that is both understandable and compelling.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I read at least 30 academic papers for this story, including many not available online. I worked with experts in genetics and statistics to ensure that I properly understood the data, which was often arcane and dense. I also used several books to help me understand the material. David Shenk's The Genius in All of Us, which was published just after my article came out, was particularly helpful. Also, the article gave me the opportunity to re-read On the Origin of Species, which still contains wisdom and delight.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Dr. Lars Olov Bygren at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, was particularly helpful. The oncologist Randy Jirtle at Duke also provided invaluable advice and fact-checking. Perhaps my most important source was Dr. Marcus Pembrey, the esteemed geneticist from University College London. I traveled to London to meet with Pembrey because he has been pushing the ideas behind epigenetics for years, even when fellow scientists considered them to be nearly heretical.
6. Results (if any).
The TIME cover story about epigenetics widely expanded discussion of the topic in both scientific circles and among the general population. The article was the first major exploration of the topic. It also provided a new reason to stop smoking and overeating: these behaviors will not only affect your health but can literally change (in harmful ways) the genes you will pass on to any children you may have.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
The story required no corrections or clarifications. It was carefully fact-checked.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Read Dr. Marcus Pembrey's work!