Beyond Genetics for Health

Photo: @ Glowimages.com

This week’s blog is by colleague, John Clague, from Salem, Oregon.

By John Clague

Geneticists report that almost everything about us, including our health, is determined by the code built into the double helix of our 25,000 genes. We have little or nothing to say about it.

But not all health researchers have bought into this predetermined view. There remains an important question: “Is it possible that we have more control than we thought?”

Cell biologist Bruce Lipton thinks so. His research has shown that the environment can have an important effect on the expression of genes regardless of the “code.” He says quite emphatically, “Genes are not destiny!” He goes on to note: “Environmental influences, including nutrition, stress, and emotions, can modify genes without changing their basic blueprint.”

Medical researcher and Christian activist Mary Baker Eddy made a similar observation during her own investigation into sickness and a variety of the treatments of her day. She concludes in her textbook on healing:

“Fear is the fountain of sickness…” (SH 391)

“If you believe in inflamed and weak nerves, you are liable to an attack from that source. …If you decide that climate or atmosphere is unhealthy, it will be so to you. Your decisions will master you, whichever direction they take…Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously.” (SH 392)

Though there was only the beginnings of genetic science in her day, she observed and taught that, because we are children of an all-loving God, we do have control and can choose health by aligning our thinking and lives with the Divine.

This idea has had a practical impact on my life. At one time in my law enforcement career, for example, I had tremendous responsibilities that others considered to be a pressure cooker of stress — a common source for many health problems. My conscious decision not to view this work as stressful and not to expect negative health consequences, allowed me to handle my duties effectively, and to experience health as a normal and predictable outcome of my relationship with God.

Ongoing research in numerous health fields continues to reveal that we are not predetermined to illness because of our physical makeup. How we think about events in our life can have an effect on our health. Fear and stress are significant negative contributors. Lipton concludes in his book The Biology of Belief:

“If we can control our fears, we regain control over our lives….Letting go of our fears is the first step toward creating a fuller, more satisfying life.”

In my experience, we have a good reason to let go of fear and stress if we understand and nurture our relationship to God. His predetermination for us is health – no matter what genes we’ve been dealt.

John Clague explores and writes about the relationship between thought, spirituality and health. A retired Lane County Sheriff’s Department captain, he is now a Christian Science media and legislative liaison. See original article at Medford Mail Tribune.