Genetic link to smoking addiction
June 6th 2008 12:13
Recently we have just celebrated No Tobacco Day, and there was a recent report from the BBC News that scientists have identified genetic variations that raise the risk of lung cancer for smokers and former smokers. There is some evidence to suggest that they may make carriers more addicted to tobacco.
The research teams, which were involved, pinpointed 2 key areas of variation on chromosome 15. the variants are common in the population - but they only raise lung cancer risk in those who have smoked.
Current or former smokers who carry 2 copies of both variants, one from each parent - about 15% of the total have a raised risk of 70 - 80%.
Thgose who carry one copy of each variant have a raised risk of around 28%.
Dr. Lesley Walker, of the charity Cancer Research UK, said," to know that smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer - causing 9 out of 10 cases of the disease".
This research tells us there are some smokers who are even more vulnerable to lung cancer because of their genetic profile.
(Article extracted from Health & Beauty Malaysia)
Personal Note:
Smokers out there, this doesn't mean that you can blame it all on your "heritance" and puff it anyway, but to know that not only that you are more vulnerable to lung cancer if you have family history of smokers, you are jeopardising your off-springs knowing that smoking doesn't only carries tar in your lungs, it carries a vulnerable link in your DNA.
To know more about Tobacco Day, please visit the link below:
World No Tobacco Day – Second Hand Smoke Danger
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