Genetic subjectivities of prospective fathers: men’s attitudes toward epigenetics

Abstract

This study investigates prospective fathers’ reaction to epigenetics and its implications for heredity. Mounting scientific evidence that epigenetic changes transmit through fathers, not just mothers, makes it important to learn how men regard their inheritance conceptually and its relevance for their behavior. This study features in-depth interviews with 31 prospective fathers in Canada. About one-third of respondents had heard of epigenetics, but only one had substantial knowledge. After a non-technical explanation, virtually all found epigenetics plausible, though to varying degrees and with varying mental models of how epigenetic inheritance would work. Nearly all expressed a strong desire to follow whatever behaviors would improve the health of their future children, even lifestyle changes, thus re-aligning responsible fatherhood with new scientific findings. This demonstrates the new concept of genetic subjectivity: socially conditioned attitudes and normative agency based on genetic science. Implications for the ontology of gendered inheritance and social relations are discussed.

Keywords

• s: epigenetics
• inheritance
• interviews
• medical sociology
• reproductive health