COVER
Why Your DNA Isn't Your Destiny (Science)
The new field of epigenetics is showing how your environment and your choices can influence your genetic code — and that of your kids
How You Can Change Your Genes
Dr. Lars Olov Bygren's research helps explain how a father's diet might affect certain traits he passes to his son
NATION
What Health Care Reform Means for the States (The Well / Nation)
As the battle enters its final stage in Washington, a rebellion is taking shape in the states, which are alarmed about the new financial burdens they will face in a revamped system
In a Tough Job Market, Teens Are Suffering Most (The Well / Nation)
The Great Recession has been particularly uncool to teens. Fewer work than ever before. Is this hurting their future?
Teen Unemployment
The recession has put a damper on the earning power of younger workers
ESSAY
A Slow-Motion Wreck for Commercial Real Estate (Commentary / The Curious Capitalist)
Why the commercial real estate crisis hasn't felt like much of a crisis. At least not yet
The CIA Double Cross: How Bad a Blow in Afghanistan? (Commentary / In the Arena)
The lethal attack on the CIA raises doubts about the reliability of America's allies in the war in Afghanistan
Amid the Hysteria, a Look at What al-Qaeda Can't Do (Commentary / Commentary)
The failed Christmas bombing shows how far the terrorist network has fallen since Sept. 11
Call Me! But Not on Skype or Any Other Videophone (The Awesome Column)
But please, not by videophone. On second thought, if you could just send me a text, that would be great
WORLD
Postcard from Inland Empire (Postcard)
As buyers re-enter Southern California's submerged property market, real estate investors are snapping up the best deals. In the land of foreclosures, cash is king
Yemen: The Most Fragile Ally (World)
Yemen is becoming an increasingly important base for terrorist attacks. Can it be helped? Not easily — the place is in crisis
South Africa's New Slave Trade and the Campaign to Stop It (The Well / World)
In South Africa, host of this year's World Cup, thousands of women and girls are held as modern-day slaves. E. Benjamin Skinner takes a rare look inside the underworld of sex trafficking--and one man's campaign to stop it
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
After Eat, Pray, Love: Fret, Mull, Marry (Books)
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, has a new memoir, Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage, that takes her reluctantly to the altar
Eat, Pray, Love Author Elizabeth Gilbert (Books)
After nearly swearing off marriage, the best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love took three years to explore the real meaning of an evolving institution before committing to it
The Awards Race Begins (Movies)
The film critics have had their say. How will their favorites fare at the Golden Globes and the Oscars?
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
SOCIETY
Workouts for Your Brain (Life / Health)
Cognitive fitness is a hot concept, but can fancy software stave off dementia?
A Look at the Nook (Life / Techland)
Barnes & Noble's new e-reader finally gives Amazon's Kindle some serious competition
A New Weight-Loss Plan: Getting Paid to Shed Pounds (Life / Web Watch)
The website HealthyWage will pay obese members $100 if they slim down and up to $1,000 if they put some of their own money on the line
PEOPLE
10 Questions for Jason Reitman (10 Questions)
The Juno director is earning Oscar buzz with his latest, Up in the Air. Jason Reitman will now take your questions
BRIEFING
The Moment
1|4|10: Dubai
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Spotlight: The Intelligence Breakdown
Verbatim
Brief History: Air Marshals
The Skimmer
Book Review: Notes from the Cracked Ceiling by Anne E. Kornblut