DNA. We are all born with them.
More than 3 billion paired molecules spread across 46 chromosomes in a single human cell, and we have over 30 trillion cells in our body.
That is a lot of cells, and a lot of DNA. Too much for me to put in as a numerical representation in this article.
Because we have so much genetic data in us, almost like the codes of a massive biological program (also known as life), our DNA is able to become the blueprint of our human biology, because of the sheer complexity of the information stored.
However, it is also this complexity that makes the “impact” of our genes hard to quantify. Beyond evidence that lifestyle choices (food, exercise, stress and so on) do have epigenetic effects on genetic expressions, scientists have yet to crack the code that can fully measure the “magnitude” of impact our actions have towards our genes, and consequently, our lives.
While I am not a scientist, I do love my science. I know enough biology to make my wife blush, and my childhood teacher beam with pride. So let me offer a theory based on my personal insights and experience in the consumer DNA testing market, one that may explain the synergistic interplay between our genes and our lifestyle choices.
What Is The Genetic Multiplier?
The Genetic Multiplier is the shape of how genes work: Genes x Choices = Outcomes. Your DNA sets how strongly your body answers what you do, so a large talent times zero effort is still zero.
Consider these 2 individuals in a hypothetical scenario.
On the left, we have Tommy (not his real name), who is a fictional son of a fictional business magnate. Tommy is born rich, and his parents have always wanted him to become the next Ed Sheeran, making a name in the global music scene.
On the right, we have Sam (also not his real name), who grew up in an average middle-income Asian family but possesses a wicked sense of humour. Sam’s ambition is to become a comedian.
However, unbeknownst to both of them, Tommy was born with an average talent in music (let us assume his genetic multiplier for music is a “3”), while Sam was born with amazing aptitude for music (let us assume his genetic multiplier for music is a solid “10”).
In this situation, many might assume that Sam would grow up to become the next musical prodigy due to his genetic musical talents. However, their individual choices do play an important part in the final outcome.
Imagine this.
Tommy’s parents enrolled him into the best music school that money can buy. There, he studied music for 5 years.
Sam went on to pursue his dream of being a comedian, and the only music experience he has had in these 5 years was an occasional sing-along to the tunes of a radio station, which effectively translates to 0 years of formal musical training.
In this scenario, let us apply my equation for the Genetic Multiplier below.
(Genes x Choices = Outcomes) #1
- Tommy: 3 (Talent) x 5 (Experience) = 15 Skill Level
- Sam: 10 (Talent) x 0 (Experience) = 0 Skill Level
As you can see, even if Sam has a lot of talent, it will be wasted if he is not made aware of them.
If Sam (or his parents) knew about his genetic advantage, they may well invest their life savings to enrol him into the same music school Tommy is attending. In such an instance, the outcome may be very different as shown below.
(Genes x Choices = Outcomes) #2
- Tommy: 3 (Talent) x 5 (Experience) = 15 Skill Level
- Sam: 10 (Talent) x 5 (Experience) = 50 Skill Level
Sam’s musical aptitude will leave Tommy in the dust. Even though they attend the same lessons, and spend the same number of years learning. Sam’s genetic strength will enable him to learn music faster and better.
Beyond this, the Genetic Multiplier can also be applied to other personality traits.
For example, a person with natural talents in “Interpersonal Affinity” may excel in roles that deal with people and communication, such as sales, marketing, PR, HR and so on, should he choose to pursue these professions.
Remember, Genes x Choices = Outcomes.
Reduce The Factors, Reduce Risk
Heart disease is the world’s biggest killer, and most of its risk comes from things we can change. Disease prevention begins with early insights and smart management.
Most of us have genes lurking in our biology that may cause certain illnesses to manifest in our lives. However, many of these “bad” genes lay dormant and harmless until they are “triggered” by poor lifestyle choices, unhealthy diet or environmental factors.
Consider this new scenario.
Jane and Jessica are twin sisters (yup, still fictional characters). Being twins, their genetic makeup is exactly the same, and they possess the same talents and risks. Assuming their genetic multiplier for “Risk of Colorectal Cancer” is a “5”, they each have the same likelihood of developing it as they age.
However, Jane and Jessica have very different personalities.
Jane loves the nature, and is a big fan of healthy living (but with an occasional guilty indulgence).
Jessica, on the other hand, is a party animal and a foodie. She loves to wine and dine and spends her nights hanging out with friends and sleeping late.
As they age, their individual lifestyle choices will add up years of unhealthy living, increasing the likelihood of Colorectal Cancer manifesting. Assuming Jane has accumulated 5 years of unhealthy diet (hey, even the healthiest individuals still need “cheat days”), while Jessica has accumulated 15 years of unhealthy diet, their respective risk outcomes are shown below.
(Genes x Choices = Outcomes) #3
- Jane: 5 (Genetic Risk) x 5 (Bad Diet) = 25 Threat Level
- Jessica: 5 (Genetic Risk) x 15 (Bad Diet) = 75 Threat Level
As you can see, Jessica’s lifestyle choices have resulted in her having a Threat Level of developing colorectal cancer that is 3x higher than that of her twin sister.
Likewise, even if our genetic risk for certain illnesses is high, early detection through a simple DNA test will help us make smarter lifestyle decisions to better manage and reduce the threat accordingly.
Embracing our Genetic Multiplier
Our genes are like a catalyst for our actions. If we think this way, we will be more mindful of our life choices.
There you have it. Embracing the concept of the Genetic Multiplier means recognising that our lives are not solely determined by our genetic makeup. We are active participants in our own story. This concept underscores the power we hold to influence our health, well-being, and personal growth.
Just because someone is born with genetics that makes them gain weight easily, does not mean they should simply blame their “bad genes” and completely give up on exercise. Likewise for people who give up on academic pursuits because they (or their parents) deem them to be not smart enough.
Intelligence, like any other genetic traits we are born with, has to be cultivated, and developed to achieve its fullest potential. So much so that a person who studies hard, would still be perceived by the world to be smarter than a genius who has an idle mind.
So, the next time you receive your genetic results via a DNA test, remember that it is not just a set of predictions that predetermines your life, but is possibly a multiplier that can either be amplified or mitigated by the effects of your lifestyle choices.
Embrace the power of your DNA, and use it as a catalyst to craft the life you have always wanted. After all, knowledge of your genes are just the beginning of your story; the rest is yours to write.
This is the idea the whole of ConnectingDNA is built on. The Why DNA page walks through it with the research behind it, and the Bio-Profile is where your own numbers live.
