In recent years, geneticists have been exploring the less visible parts of genome more thoroughly. They are coming to realize that these much more layers of genomic information, distinct from the protein-coding genes, connect in surprisingly deep and potent ways to growth and development in the high eukaryotes. This article reviews a number of startling observations about the extent of non-protein-coding RNA transcriptions, DNA methylation and covalent histone modifications in the complex organisms.