According to the dominant view in medicine whatever happens to our health is a consequence of the genes we received at birth. This so-called “genetic determinism” means we don’t create our own lives. We are victims of our genes. That’s a rather depressing perspective that aligns with the strong forces of pessimism in society. But is it true? Researchers recently took a group of healthy individuals and had them work out one leg for a four-month period. After the study completed, obviously one leg was stronger than the other. But interestingly scientists noticed a difference in the DNA structure of the exercised leg. Though researchers still don’t know how long this change will last, or what the direct implications are, they have proven that exercise can change the genetic structure of our bodies. The study presents one more example that we are not victims of our genes.