businessinsider.com: People who vape show DNA changes similar to smokers and that are linked to cancer
3/7/2020
- A University of Southern California study has found that vapers exhibit similar chemical modifications to people who smoke cigarettes – modifications commonly found in nearly all types of human cancer.
- In an email sent to BI, the study's lead researcher, Ahmad Besaratinia, said the study "demonstrates, for the first time, biologically important molecular changes in blood cells of vapers, similarly to smokers."
- Experts told BI that research into the physiological effects of vaping is often hindered by the fact that many vapers have a history of smoking.
- Though the USC study seems to have avoided this hindrance, the fact many vapers are ex-smokers may make research into vaping's physiological impact challenging.
- 6.1% of British vapers in the period January 2019 to September 2019 had never smoked, according to UK government research, while a 2018 study found that 15% of US adult vapers had never smoked.
A University of Southern California study published in February found vapers exhibit similar DNA changes to people who smoke cigarettes – modifications commonly found in nearly all types of cancer.
The study examined the blood of a group of people, controlled for age, gender, and race, who were split equally into three categories. These were people who only vape; people who only smoke; and a control group of people who neither vape nor smoke.
The study also said the specific chemical alterations found – known as "epigenetic changes" – can cause genes to malfunction, and are commonly found in nearly all types of human cancer.
In an email sent to Business Insider, the study's lead researcher, Ahmad Besaratinia, said the research "demonstrates, for the first time, biologically important molecular changes in blood cells of vapers, similarly to smokers."
If the study's findings are corroborated elsewhere, it could seriously damage a vaping industry already facing severe criticism and regulatory action.