It often happens that a certain disease or condition occurs more often within a family. “It runs in the family” is then said. In addition, a lot of research has been done into DNA in the last few decades. Genes are constantly being discovered that are related to certain diseases. These two factors: more frequent occurrence within a family and specific genes cause passivity. Fate seems sealed. There seems to be no escaping it. The question is whether this view is always correct.
Congenital disorders
There are hereditary or genetic disorders. Some examples of these are color blindness, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. An error in the DNA is passed on to the child by one or both parents. In some cases it is a new abnormality that the parents do not have, but the gene error is in every cell of the child. Usually it is immediately noticeable at birth that a child has a disorder or it is discovered when the child is still young. Fortunately, these hereditary disorders are not very common.
Multifactorial Diseases
A second group of disorders are multifactorial diseases. This means that several factors play a role in the development of the disease. Interactions between genes and environment are crucial. Examples are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and psychological disorders. It is a combination between:
Genetic factors;
Environmental factors, e.g. particulate matter in the air, second-hand smoke, radiation, contact with chemicals or drugs;
Lifestyle, e.g. smoking, diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, stress.
Epigenetics
That brings us to epigenetics. Epigenetics is a field that studies the influence of the reversible hereditary change in gene function. The genes themselves do not change. To put it more simply: healthy or unhealthy circumstances (environmental factors or lifestyle) can switch certain genes off or on. This determines whether or not a disease manifests itself.
“Genes load the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger”
A disease can “run in the family”; there may even be sensitivity in the genes, but this does not necessarily mean that you will get sick. Research has shown that diseases in which there is a recognizable familial connection, it is not always possible to determine a hereditary factor. A family has certain genes in common, but family members often have a similar lifestyle too. Environmental factors and lifestyle have a major influence on diseases. You can control many of these circumstances yourself. By making wise choices, you can prevent the disease from developing.
Bible
What does the Bible say about this? You are probably familiar with the phrase "to the third and fourth generation." It is stated in Numbers 14:18, among other things: “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.”
So we come back to the beginning of this blog. “It runs in the family, so there's no getting around it?” Or maybe you wonder whether you will be punished for something your (grand) parents have done. No, you will not be punished for something your parent did. God is just. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.” Ezekiel 18:20-22.
However, family members have a great influence on each other. Then be alert. Make your choices consciously and not because you or your family have always done it that way. Keep God's ordinances and you will be blessed. Not to the third or fourth generation, but to a thousand generations!
“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” Deuteronomy 7:9.
Conclusion
A disease can occur more often within a family. Some have a tendency to a certain condition in their genes. But often influences from the environment and your lifestyle play an important role in whether or not you get that disease. Proverbs 26:2b says, “so the curse causeless shall not come.” Making wise, healthy choices that are in line with God's Word is therefore very important. As a result, those sensitive genes are triggered less or not at all and the disease can be prevented from developing.
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