Giving up smoking might be in your genes – but do you want to be tested?
January 20, 2012 in NEWS by Suzanne Elvidge
It’s still January and it’s the time of year for resolutions and fresh starts. For some, it’s giving up smoking – but will your genetics affect how easy (or hard) it is?
Genetic variation does seem to affect how easy it is to become addicted to smoking and how hard it is to stop – this could be down to changes in opioid receptors in the brain or variations in nicotine receptors on cells. In a study published in BMJ Open, researchers spoke to Dutch smokers to ask their opinions on genetic testing.
According to the results, smokers knew little about the effect of genes on smoking and giving up, and showed some interest in genetic testing. While genetic testing may turn out to be useful for giving up smoking, doctors and healthcare professionals will need to make sure that people are better informed about the significance of these tests and how they might help.
Quaak, M., Smerecnik, C., van Schooten, F., de Vries, H., & van Schayck, C. (2012). Knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding genetic testing for smoking cessation. A cross-sectional survey among Dutch smokers BMJ Open, 2 (1) DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000321
