In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. Melissa Ilardo, an expert in human genetics and epigenetics, about how behavior and environment modify gene expression. They discuss the inheritance of traits like eye color, the mammalian dive reflex and its effects on the spleen, mate selection based on immune system compatibility, and how external traits signal variations in organ function and hormone levels. The conversation also explores the ethical considerations of gene editing in humans and examples of rapid genetic adaptation in populations like the Bajau sea nomads and the Korean Haenyo divers, highlighting the interplay between genes, behavior, and environmental pressures.
