Modified DNA for smoking addiction

Tobacco addicts will experience mutations in DNA for every 15 cigarettes they smoke, according to a study indicated by the analysis of a patient's gene.

British researchers lead this large international project. They analyzed and identified 23,000 mutations that showed signs of chemicals in cigarette smoke. Researchers believe that lung cells containing harmful mutations will be multiplied and formed into the disease.

According to Dr. Andy Futreal, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Cambridgeshire), 'Cancer takes place when it is out of control with cell activities - cells grow at times and in places where they are not allowed. Genetic mutations caused by cigarette smoke creeping into each cell will be immeasurable.

Scientists hope that these results will help them understand the cause of cancer and develop new treatments. The lead researcher, Dr Peter Campbell, of the Wellcome trust Institute, stressed: 'By identifying all cancer genes, we will be able to develop new drugs whose goal is to treat mutated genes'.

If you quit smoking, your risk of lung cancer will disappear after 15 years, from the date of stopping smoking.