Scientists Crack 'Entire Genetic Code' of Cancer 235
Entropy98 writes "Scientists have unlocked the entire genetic code of skin and lung cancer. From the article: 'Not only will the cancer maps pave the way for blood tests to spot tumors far earlier, they will also yield new drug targets, say the Wellcome Trust team. The scientists found the DNA code for a skin cancer called melanoma contained more than 30,000 errors almost entirely caused by too much sun exposure. The lung cancer DNA code had more than 23,000 errors largely triggered by cigarette smoke exposure. From this, the experts estimate a typical smoker acquires one new mutation for every 15 cigarettes they smoke. Although many of these mutations will be harmless, some will trigger cancer.' Yet another step towards curing cancer. Though it will probably take many years to study so many mutations."
Benign (Score:4, Funny)
I didn't use to like skin cancer, but it grows on you
Powers (Score:5, Funny)
Although many of these mutations will be harmless, some will trigger cancer
And some will give you super powers.
Re:Cold turkey (Score:5, Funny)
the 1 in 15 smokes stat is a real motivator!
Maybe, but if you only smoke the other 14, you should be OK.
Unless the 15th one isn't labeled, then it's harder.
/me ducks
Re:Patent? (Score:2, Funny)
In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Cold turkey (Score:2, Funny)
Does this mean (Score:2, Funny)
I know it doesn't but the article kinda hints at that.
Wouldn't it be great though if it was that precise.
15 cigs = 1 DNA error
23,000 errrors = CANCER
15 Cigs X 23,000 = 345,000 cigs
345,000 Cigs = Cancer
Average life span ~67 years
If you start smoking at 18 that's ~17,897 days till your dead anyway
So you can have 19 Cigarettes a day.
Hey cigarette companies I think I have a new marketing campaign for you. You just need to start selling packs of smokes with 19 Cigs in each.
Re:Powers (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Better yet (Score:1, Funny)
While you our outside, freezing in the rain smoking your cigarette, I'm nice and warm, in front of my computer, enjoying myself, looking DOWN on you for being sooo weak eating my chessburger - inside!
So there!
Re:How real is this? (Score:4, Funny)
"Obama Presides Over Cancer Cure."
Re:Sadly, the article makes no sense (Score:5, Funny)
But 30,000 errors in the DNA doesn't mean those cells were exposed to 30,000 mutating events (the 1 for every 15 cigarettes or whatever).
Enough of your logic. You're upsetting the smokers who want to believe that as long as they smoke less than 450,000 cigarettes they won't get cancer.
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Re:How real is this? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:How real is this? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Better yet (Score:3, Funny)
Your attitude makes me sick, you pansy.
Yeah, we smokers are outside in the rain and snow and sleet and cold because we're dedicated to our habit! We could quit smoking and be nice and warm with the rest of you pansies, but we're tougher than that!
If they made you pansy bastards go outside to eat your cheeseburgers, you'd probably quit eating cheeseburgers. You're all just poseur addicts. You have no dedication.
Yeah, sit inside and eat your cheeseburger, you whiny poseur addict. We smokers will be outside in the cold, earning respect from all the real addicts.
That's nothing (Score:3, Funny)
Remember, the PIAE only wishes to protect your rights as a Human Genome licensee from those who wish to undermine the value of HG code by illegally reverse-engineering, illegally altering, or making illegal copies and illegal derivative works of the code. Without the PIAE, the rightful owners of HG copyrights and patents would not have the money they need to make life better for us all.