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As scientists draw closer to understanding in detail the mechanisms causing orpreventing cancer, ASH warned against relying on genetic engineering as an approach to theproblems of smoking. The research shows that mice with a particular gene have greaterprotection against cancer. The researchers suggested that "in the future scientistscould potentially use genetic engineering to prevent certain cancers". (ICRF pressrelease)

ASH welcomed the research as shining new light on the mechanisms behind cancer, butcautioned against seeing this as the beginning of a way of making smoking safe.

"It would be terrible if kids started to say that it’s okay to smoke nowbecause by the time they are sixty, there’ll be a cure for lung cancer. The idea ofgenetically engineering people to make them more resistant to tobacco smoke is notsomething to bet your life on." said Clive Bates, Director of ASH.

45,000 die from cancer of all types
of these 31,000 die from lung cancer
25,000 die from bronchitis and emphysema
26,000 die from ischaemic heart disease
24,000 die from other causes including stroke, pneumonia, aneurysm