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This week's issue of the respected journal Cancer Research includes a study showing that cigarette smoke caused changes in the DNA of sperm cells, suggesting that a man's smoking habit may cause him to pass along genetic damage. The genetic mutations observed in the study, also known as germline mutations, are known to be permanent.

DNA Damage from Cigarette Smoke

In the study, mice were exposed to cigarette smoke for six weeks or 12 weeks. The mice were examined for DNA mutations at the end of the smoke exposure. The study's authors observed 1.4 times as many DNA mutations in the sperm cells of the mice exposed to cigarette smoke for six weeks compared to mice not exposed to cigarette smoke, and 1.7 times as many mutations in the mice exposed to cigarette smoke for 12 weeks.

A Father's Smoking May Affect His Offspring

All male mammals such as mice and men continuously produce sperm. The study's lead author, Carole Yauk of Health Canada's Environmental and Occupational Toxicology Division, noted that "We have known that mothers who smoke can harm their fetuses, and here we show evidence that fathers can potentially damage offspring long before they may even meet their future mate." She also cautioned, "This suggests that damage is related to the duration of exposure, so the longer you smoke the more mutations accumulate and the more likely a potential effect may arise in the offspring."

(Source: Reuters)

Has smoking tobacco harmed you or your loved ones? Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your legal options.