I don't think that it is entirely safe to say epigenetics are inconsequential for Animals. DNA methylation is definitely important to development w/in a single organism, and I think it is still unclear how important it is to heredity.

On a side note: I am a biochem student w/ an interest in programming.. HN has been really helped me to learn _what_ to learn about computer science. I love when I see good discussion of biology here, but I wish there was a similar online community for molecular biology / genetics. Anyone have any suggestions?