So, we are all born with a set of hard-coded genes that cannot be changed. If we were computers, our genotype is hardware.

Atop of that though, we actually have another layer of “genes” — called our phenotype, that acts like software. This layer is malleable, which means when we have life experiences, the software updates, showing real physical changes at the genetic level (strictly speaking, our phenotype doesn’t change our genes, but it controls how it is expressed).

Knowing this, I am still curious how much of “us” can be changed.

Researchers wanted to know too. So they recruited sets of twins at various age points and compared their phenotypes. Turns out the older the twins are — with divergent life experience — the more their phenotype differed.

So, if I assume that genes affect how proteins are made, and our phenotype controls how genes are expressed, then our life experience — nurture — directly affects our nature.

Is this right? I am not a scientist.

But whatever the truth is, we are not bound by our genetics. It’s exciting to know we literally change through experience, and that change at the genetic level perpetuates more change, accumulating like compound interest.