Welcome to Alternatively Speaking, a KCSA Podcast Labs production. In our debut season, we’re diving into a revolutionary concept in health span, longevity, and healthcare. 

Today, we sat down with Dr. Moshe Szyf, a pioneering figure in the field of epigenetics with a career spanning over three and a half decades. A founding figure in behavioral and psychiatric epigenetics, Dr. Szyf has authored over 300 influential papers that have significantly contributed to our understanding of how environmental factors and behaviors can influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself. 

Dr. Szyf serves as Chairman, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of HKG Epitherapeutics, focusing on developing epigenetic tools for clinical medicine, early disease detection, and personalized healthcare. He also currently holds the prestigious position of James McGill Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University in Montreal, where he also holds the GlaxoSmithKline Chair in Pharmacology. 

Dr. Szyf is a sought-after speaker, having presented at the Nobel Forum and delivered a TED talk on DNA and early life experiences. His work bridges academic research and practical applications, aiming to translate epigenetic insights into tangible health benefits for society.

Podcast Highlights:

1. Introduction to Epigenetics (00:11 – 02:37): Dr. Moshe Szyf is introduced as a pioneer in epigenetics. The concept of epigenetics is explained as the “software” that programs DNA, influencing how genes function without changing the DNA sequence itself.
2. HKG Epitherapeutics and Epigenetic Testing (02:38 – 06:05): Discussion of Dr. Szyf’s company, HKG Epitherapeutics, which develops epigenetic tests for early disease detection, aging assessment, and health monitoring.
3. Epigenetics vs. Traditional Testing (06:06 – 09:44): Explanation of how epigenetic testing differs from traditional blood tests and genetic testing, offering insights into the dynamic changes happening at the DNA level.
4. Consumer Impact and Health Empowerment (09:45 – 14:42): Examples of how consumers have used epigenetic tests to gain insights into their biological age and health status, leading to lifestyle changes.
5. COVID-19’s Impact on Healthcare Autonomy (29:38 – 33:40): Discussion on how the pandemic has led to increased public interest in personal health management and a shift towards more patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.
6. Future of Precision Medicine (39:12 – 42:06): Dr. Szyf’s views on the role of epigenetics in precision medicine, particularly in guiding personalized drug treatments and lifestyle interventions.
7. Ethical Considerations and Balanced Approach to Longevity (34:55 – 39:11): Dr. Szyf’s perspective on extreme anti-aging approaches, emphasizing the importance of balance and quality of life over extreme life extension methods.
8. Future Developments in Epigenetics (43:25 – 45:37): Discussion of anticipated breakthroughs in epigenetic technology, including improved accuracy in testing and applications for early detection of various chronic diseases.

Social Media:

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/moshe-szyf-99ab283/?originalSubdomain=ca 
• @epimedtech https://twitter.com/epimedtech 

Other Links/Mentions/Resources:

• EpiMedTechGlobal https://epimedtech.com/ 
• Dr. Szyf’s Ted Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/moshe_szyf_how_early_life_experience_is_written_into_dna?subtitle=en 
• CDC Resources for Epigenetics https://www.cdc.gov/genomics-and-health/about/epigenetic-impacts-on-health.html 

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas.

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