Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints

Document Type

Article

Anticipated Volume

95

Anticipated Issue

1

Abstract

This paper reviews literature in human epigenetic research as a case study in order to examine and critique the dominant framework of embodiment as unidirectional or bidirectional and mechanistically driven. We identify three major critiques to this approach: 1) A treatment of epigenetic traits as a mechanism of embodiment, rather than one of the multidirectional components of the dynamic and ongoing embodiment process; 2) A tendency to view changing epigenetic traits as both the cause and solution for embodied social inequalities rather than examining the need for systemic change; and 3) A loss of the complexity of varied lived experiences within epigenetic studies. We suggest weaving in humanistic frameworks and expanding towards a multidirectional definition of embodiment in the field as a way forward.

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