Cigerette Smoke Can Alter Your Genes ?

People Beware ! Researchers from Cornell Medical College are now saying that exposure to second hand smoke can alter genes to those who do not even smoke ! On a study with over 100 participants, both smokers and non-smokers, the urine samples were taken and the cells from their airways were tested. The cells along the lining of airways were tested to see if they were turned "on of off" due to the cigarettes. The urine samples were given to test the levels of nicotine in the body. If the person is a smoker than they would have a higher level of nicotine in their samples. At the end of the study, the researchers found that even the participants that were not smokers, they have the same genetic changes in their cells as regular smokers.

This is related to biology/science because not only were the participants tested for nicotine levels but this was an risk for lung cancer! The head researcher from this study made a interesting comment: "The genetic effect is much lower than those who are regular smokers, but this does not mean that there are no health consequences. Certain genes within the cells lining the airways are very sensitive to tobacco smoke, and changes in the function of these genes are the first evidence of ‘biological disease' in the lungs or individuals. " Non smokers had shared 34% of the same active genes as regular smokers !

This would be interesting to other people because almost everyone knows someone who smokes. On top of that everyone has been around another person who smokes, either that be in their home or walking down the street. This is a very big discovery because what can we do to solve it? Ban all cigarettes? That would be highly unlikely, so what is the conclusion? I say smokers should have their own section way from other people to smoke, even if that means putting them in another room.

SOURCES: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2012103,00.html

AND http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/296347