Researches have noticed that people who clear nicotine slower are twice as likely to become addicted. The study focused on genetic defects that have a moderate or sever affects on the liver's ability to metabolize nicotine. 281 seventh graders that have begun to smoke, but not are not necessarily addicted were studied and thirteen percent had versions of the defected gene. Also having the nicotine remain in the brain longer also sped up the addiction.
It would be interesting to see how well this study develops. It could help save lives of many Americans from having to rely on such an addictive drug that is so readily available and is harming so many. Having a better understanding of how toxins affect us and how are body react to them can all be discovered through genetics.
I found this post very interesting because my father smokes himself so having a better understanding of how addictions work would definitely be positive.
ReplyDeleteI find this new link between addiction and genetics to be very interesting. I do believe some people can get addicted more quickly than others but I also think that genetics does not play a role in a person taking actions to quit.
ReplyDeleteI think an interesting way to test the idea that some people get addicted as a result of factors outside of genetics would be to study identical twins with drastic personality differences. It would be interesting if it could project any correlation between personality types and addiction.
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