Some smokers’ lung health protected by lucky set of genes

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Tobacco is a known killer, but some smokers seem to be spared its effects. The results came from the UK Biobank, a vast genetic resource that promises to revolutionise our understanding of health and disease.

The biobank opened in 2012 and it contains detailed health information on 500,000 middle-aged volunteers. Researchers across the world are now using it to study the genetics behind a range of conditions, including dementia and obesity.

“We looked at 28 million genetic variants in each person,” says co-author Nick Shrine, also at the University of Leicester. It was this vast amount of information that allowed the team to identify six genes that seem to have a role in lung health.

While some people appear to have protective versions of these, others may have one or more harmful kinds. This may explain why some heavy smokers don’t develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Many of us will be able to think of an acquaintance who has survived a long smoking habit. “These anecdotes are memorable because they are so rare,” says Tobin. He warns that even if heavy smokers don’t develop severe lung diseases, their lung function will still be compromised. “There is no real green light here,” he says.

Read full, original post: Genes protecting smokers’ health one of many UK Biobank findings

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