Marijuana Damages DNA And May Cause Cancer
Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsAlso Included In: Cancer / Oncology; Genetics
Article Date: 17 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PDT
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Using a highly sensitive new test, scientists in Europe are reporting "convincing evidence" that marijuana smoke damages the genetic material DNA in ways that could increase the risk of cancer. Their study can be found in the June 15 issue of ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal.
Rajinder Singh and colleagues note that toxic substances in tobacco smoke can damage DNA and increase the risk of lung and other cancers. However, there has been uncertainty over whether marijuana smoke has the same effect. Scientists are especially concerned about the toxicity of acetaldehyde, present in both tobacco and marijuana. However, it has been difficult to measure DNA damage from acetaldehyde with conventional tests.
The scientists describe development and use of a modified mass spectrometry method that showed clear indications that marijuana smoke damages DNA. "In conclusion, these results provide evidence for the DNA damaging potential of cannabis [marijuana] smoke, implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development," the article states. "The data obtained from this study suggesting the DNA damaging potential of cannabis smoke highlight the need for stringent regulation of the consumption of cannabis cigarettes, thus limiting the development of adverse health effects such as cancer."
Journal: Chemical Research in Toxicology
"Evaluation of the DNA Damaging Potential of Cannabis Cigarette Smoke by the Determination of Acetaldehyde Derived N2-Ethyl-2´-deoxyguanosine Adducts"
FULL TEXT ARTICLE.
CONTACT:
Rajinder Singh, Ph.D.
University of Leicester
Leicester, U.K.
Source:
Michael Woods
American Chemical Society
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MLA
12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/154159.php>
APA
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/154159.php.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
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Visitor Opinions In Chronological Order (3)
Dose Schedules And Toxicology - How many 10 "joint" per day cannabis smokers are there?
posted by Michael Kelley on 24 Jun 2009 at 12:27 pmHow many 10 "joint" per day cannabis smokers are there? As such, there would appear to be a serious external validity issue with the conclusion of this article.
Political Propaganda
posted by TheRealBillC on 19 Mar 2010 at 9:37 amIf this Dr was simply interested in research and publishing his findings for peer review, that would be one thing, but since he takes his findings, and, prior to peer review, takes it upon himself to propose it as a reason for public policy, it is clear that he has an agenda, and his results are suspect. Furthermore, if both tobacco and cannabis exhibit this action, why is he not calling for the SAME restrictions on tobacco? Tobacco use is legal nearly every where and its use is far more wide spread. As a result, tobacco use is far more of a health hazard, yet it is not treated the same. Until there is further research that reaches the same conclusions, this research has to be considered of dubious quality.
Indications
posted by Duncan on 26 Aug 2010 at 4:30 amThere are no substantive facts in this study, so why is it titled as though there is proof marijuana damages DNA when there is none? As others have stated there is obviously a political agenda at work here.
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