Hello! This is a message to all women and couples out there needing to use donor eggs! Because I’ve read there’s a new science called “Epigenetics” showing that genetics is not as important as many of you believe, and this part of what makes us who we are may outweigh any incovenience derived from the lack of genetic material. Be it as it may, the truth is I know too little about it, so I thought you experts may explain this concept to me in much greater detail.
Thank you very much
11/25/2015 at 3:07 pmReply
Sandra FernándezFertility CounselorHello charlotte_baby,
As you say, epigenetics is a branch of Biology that studies how does lifestyle influence on who you are in spite of your gene expression. According to this science, which agrees on the fact that each one of us has his/her own gene expression well defined, our lifestyle and the things that happen throughout our lives influence who we are at the end.
To put it best, it is as if you buy a DVD. It’s clear that you cannot change its contents, but you can vary the volume and choose which scene you want to watch. This means the environment and how we do things have an influence on who we are actually. Another example: a study conducted in Gambia showed that the mother’s diet during pregnancy had an influence on the baby’s final gene expression.
Taking into account this branch of genetics, the genetic factor would have a less significant role on the process of egg donation, because your baby will take after you after all.
Get further info here: Using donor eggs to get pregnant
Hope this helps 😉
12/03/2015 at 3:20 pmReply- Serena32
Hello Sandra… so, what is the definition of epigenetics? I just wanna know if I will pass my DNA to my baby if I use donor eggs… or at least a small portion of it. I’m worried though I know having a child is all about love, rather than a genetic code… but that’s just the world we live in.
Thank you!
09/06/2016 at 7:36 pmReply- Sandra FernándezFertility Counselor
Dear Serena32,
A recent study has proven that infertile women who use donor eggs do pass their DNA to the child. It was discovered in 2015 by scientists at a Spanish clinic.
To date, patients and experts have always thought that the fertilized egg to create the embryo only contained the DNA from the father and the donor “mother”. The code the intended mother passes to the child is what we know as “epigenetics”, a phenomenon that influences the way in which the baby develops.
Also, it’s been discovered that the uterus of the mother contains genetic material, which turns out to be a major step in the understanding of how the womb environment works.
I hope I have been able to help,
Best
09/07/2016 at 4:14 pmReply
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