Smoking is known to increase the risk of cancer, diabetes and low sperm count. Researchers at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University and the Uppsala Clinical Research Center in Sweden now have evidence that these harms affect genes inherited by future generations.
In the scientific journal Human Molecular Genetics, scientists found that these genetic changes were only visible in smokers. No genetic changes were found in non-smokers.
Genetic material changes with age under the effect of chemical alterations in DNA that modify the activity of genes. These genetic changes are normally caused by aging. But environmental factors and lifestyle can also influence genetic material. For example, British researchers at the University of Surrey have established that the lack of sleep could interfere with activity hundreds of genes.
This new Swedish study provides a new illustration of the impact of lifestyle on genes. It shows that exposure to chemicals in tobacco disrupts the normal functioning of genes and increases the risk of tobacco-related pathologies such as cancer.
“When you smoke, you are exposed to certain toxic products that modify the behavior of DNA, confirms the author of the study, Asa Johansson, researcher at the University of Uppsala. Our results indicate that the increased risk of smoking-related diseases is partially caused by epigenetic changes “.
The relationship between genetic capital and tobacco is complex. Recently, French researchers from the Institut Pasteur, CNRS and Pierre et Marie Curie University revealed that genetic mutations may explain differences in cigarette addictionbetween smokers.
