Taking the Cancer Out of ‘Cancer Sticks’
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Alex Knapp | Wednesday, March 19, 2008 |
Wired Science reports that Phillip Morris is using both genetic engineering and conventional breeding techniques in an attempt to eliminate carcinogens from tobacco.
Scientists have genetically modified tobacco plants to knock-out a gene that helps turns nicotine into one of the carcinogens in cured tobacco.The Philip Morris funded North Carolina State researchers say the work could lead to less cancer-causing chewing tobacco. In large scale field trials, they compared the levels of N-nitrosonornicotine, a chemical known as NNN, between GM tobacco plants and a control group. They found a six-fold decrease in NNN and a 50 percent overall drop in a whole class of nasty substances known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines.
[...]
Not oblivious to consumer opposition to many genetically modified crops, the researchers then created a line of tobacco plants missing the same gene they’d previously knocked-out through conventional breeding techniques. They are currently trying to introduce that mutation into commercial tobacco lines, presumably avoiding a genetically modified organism label.
Right now they’ve basically only been successful in eliminating some carcinogens, but it would be pretty cool if they could get rid of it all.
About the Author: Alex has a B.S. in Biochemistry from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law. He currently works in the telecommunications industry.
A political, philosophic, and pop culture junkie, he has been published in the Kansas City Star, TCS Daily, and Comic Book Resources. He joined the staff of OTB in June 2006. Additionally, he’s been writing the blog Heretical Ideas since October, 2001, and also reviews cigars at Cigar Jack's Cigar News and Reviews.
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While they're at it, perhaps they can get rid of the smoke, too.
Then cigarettes would be just fine.
hln
Posted by hln | March 20, 2008 | 10:32 am
Yup, right after they make patchouli that doesn't stink, colognes that don't reek, cars with no exhaust and car stereos that don't rattle windows.
If you don't like smokers just for the smoke, that is. I'm certain it's not some moral discrimination you have, or a way to feel better than others.
Or you could try to avoid things you don't like.
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