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Épigénétique : les écueils d’une transposition du biologique au social

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2019

GUILLAUME PELLETIER
GUILLAUME PELLETIER*
Affiliation:
Université Laval
*
*<[email protected]>
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Abstract

Nous effectuons dans cet article un survol des dangers liés à certaines représentations des phénomènes épigénétiques lors de la formulation de recommandations sociales et médicales. Après avoir exploré les représentations de l’épigénétique dans différents ouvrages de vulgarisation et discours médiatiques, nous critiquons certaines des conclusions susceptibles d’émerger de tels discours qui peuvent paraître prématurées. Nous insistons en particulier sur les enjeux relevant de la responsabilité parentale —notamment celle des femmes — quant à la transmission de marqueurs épigénétiques. Enfin, nous proposons quelques considérations épistémologiques concernant la biologie du développement qui viennent nuancer la portée des discours concernant une éventuelle responsabilité épigénétique. Une telle clarification est susceptible, selon nous, de lever plusieurs difficultés relatives à la compréhension des recherches en épigénétique ainsi qu’à leur application éventuelle hors du champ scientifique.

This article offers an overview of the risks related to some representations of epigenetics in the process of making social and medical recommendations. After exploring different representations of epigenetics in popular literature and media discourses, I identify some of the premature conclusions that could emerge from such discourses, stressing issues related to parental responsibility—especially as they relate to women—regarding the transmission of epigenetic marks. I then propose some epistemological considerations regarding developmental biology in order to draw a more nuanced picture of epigenetic responsibility. I argue that such considerations are important to clarify our general understanding of epigenetic research as well as its potential translation outside the scientific area.

Keywords

épigénétiquenature et cultureresponsabilitébioéthiqueépistémologie
Type
Original Article/Article original
Information
Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review / Revue canadienne de philosophie , Volume 58 , Issue 1 , March 2019 , pp. 1 - 26
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Philosophical Association 2019 

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Footnotes

Cet article a été rédigé sous la direction de Louis-Étienne Pigeon et Lyne Létourneau dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche intitulé «Programmation épigénétique et obésité : les enjeux éthiques du respect de l’autonomie et de la justice intergénérationnelle», qui a été soutenu financièrement par le Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada (CRSH).

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