Are silenced genes associated with high or low levels of DNA methylation? Solution 1.Genes are silenced by methylation(adding methyl groups). Gene silencing is the process of turning off genes,so that it will not produce proteins through translation process. 2. Gene silencing is done by adding methyl groups to the genes. So that gene is inactive. So we conclude that silenced genes associated with high methylation. Because when gene is methylated only then silencing of gene occurs..