Cannabis May Alter Human DNA?

[thosevacanteyes]

A friend found this article today.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...l-ah061609.php

Originally Posted by thosevacanteyes

'Cannabis alters human DNA' -- new study
Research at University of Leicester highlights cancer risk from cannabis smoke

A new study published by University of Leicester researchers has found "convincing evidence" that cannabis smoke damages DNA in ways that could potentially increase the risk of cancer development in humans.

Using a newly developed highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, the University of Leicester scientists found clear indication that cannabis smoke damages DNA, under laboratory conditions.

They have now published the findings in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology1.

The research was carried out by Rajinder Singh, Jatinderpal Sandhu, Balvinder Kaur, Tina Juren, William P. Steward, Dan Segerback and Peter B. Farmer from the Cancer Biomarkers and Prevention Group, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine and Karolinska Institute, Sweden.

Raj Singh said: "Parts of the plant Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana, ganja, and various street names, are commonly smoked as a recreational drug, although its use for such purposes is illegal in many countries.

"There have been many studies on the toxicity of tobacco smoke. It is known that tobacco smoke contains 4000 chemicals of which 60 are classed as carcinogens. Cannabis in contrast has not been so well studied. It is less combustible than tobacco and is often mixed with tobacco in use. Cannabis smoke contains 400 compounds including 60 cannabinoids. However, because of its lower combustibility it contains 50% more carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including naphthalene, benzanthracene, and benzopyrene, than tobacco smoke."

Writing in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology, the scientists describe the development of a mass spectrometry method that provides a clear indication that cannabis smoke damages DNA, under laboratory conditions.

The authors added: "It is well known that toxic substances in tobacco smoke can damage DNA and increase the risk of lung and other cancers. Scientists were unsure though whether cannabis smoke would have the same effect. Our research has focused on the toxicity of acetaldehyde, which is present in both tobacco and cannabis."

The researchers add that the ability of cannabis smoke to damage DNA has significant human health implications especially as users tend to inhale more deeply than cigarette smokers, which increases respiratory burden. "The smoking of 3-4 cannabis cigarettes a day is associated with the same degree of damage to bronchial mucus membranes as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day," the team adds.

"These results provide evidence for the DNA damaging potential of cannabis smoke," the researchers conclude, "implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development."
###

The study was funded by the European Union Network of Excellence ECNIS, the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK.

1. Rajinder Singh, Jatinderpal Sandhu, Balvinder Kaur, Tina Juren, William P. Steward, Dan Segerback and Peter B. Farmer (2009) Evaluation of the DNA Damaging Potential of Cannabis Cigarette Smoke by the Determination of Acetaldehyde Derived N2-Ethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine Adducts. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 22, 1181-1188.

Note to newsdesk: For more information/interviews, please contact: 0116 223 1827 or 0116 223 1823

/Discuss.

-C

[SuperMonkey26]

Didn't see you post an article, but if this is altering my DNA, maybe I could look forward to super powers in the near future?

Edit: I see the article now, browser must have lagged or something.

[Volcano South]

My super powers include sitting on my ass and loading another bowl.

[k.smith904]

Originally Posted by Volcano South

My super powers include sitting on my ass and loading another bowl.

Post of the day

[Mr.Burnsalot]

Didn't read article but maybe it will alter it in a good way if it's true like take the hate out of peoples mind.

[originalganja]

If it alters DNA would that mean it could potentially cause problems in my future children?

[Ganja.Bus]

Originally Posted by originalganja

If it alters DNA would that mean it could potentially cause problems in my future children?

Don't you mean potentially cause problems in your future superchildren?

[originalganja]

Originally Posted by Ganja.Bus

Don't you mean potentially cause problems in your future superchildren?

Well altering my DNA could make them superchildren, or it could just make them retarded.

[JustALittleHigh]

Hard to believe. They present the information they want to present.

This just seems like another reefer madness study.

None of this is fact...

"convincing evidence"
"under laboratory conditions"
"Scientists were unsure though whether cannabis smoke would have the same effect."

the researchers conclude, "implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development."



I'll forget this article as I'm pressing Submit Reply.

[Broosh]

Fox News is running an alarmist story today under the outrageous headline, “Marijuana Not Only Gets You High, It Damages Your DNA.”

The ‘news’ story, which several other mainstream media outlets are also promoting, is based on a new British study assessing the effects of, ahem, “calf thymus DNA treated in vitro (in a Petri dish) … with the smoke generated from 1, 5, and 10 cannabis cigarettes.”

Yes, really.

So how did Fox “We report, you decide” News summarize this non-story? Let’s take a look.

What Fox News reported: “Smoking marijuana not only gets you high, but it also alters your DNA.”

What the study actually said: “[T]hese results provide evidence for the DNA damaging potential of cannabis smoke, implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development.”

What Fox News reported: “There have been many studies on the toxicity of tobacco smoke,” researcher Rajinder Singh said in a news release. “Cannabis in contrast has not been so well studied.”

What Fox News didn’t report: From the March 2009 issue of the scientific journal Medicinal Research Reviews, “Research on the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids has reached enormous proportions. … [A]pproximately 15,000 articles on Cannabis sativa L. and cannabinoids and over 2,000 articles on endocannabinoids (are available in the scientific literature).”

What Fox News reported: “Singh said cannabis smoke contains 400 compounds including 60 cannabinoids. It also contains 50 percent more carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including naphthalene, benzanthracene, and benzopyrene, than tobacco smoke, Singh added.”

What Fox News didn’t report: From the November 2007 issue of the scientific journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, “Vaporization of marijuana does not result in exposure to combustion gases, … and [was] preferred by most subjects compared to marijuana cigarettes. … The Volcano [vaporizer] device is an effective and apparently safe vehicle for THC delivery, and warrants further investigation in clinical trials of cannabis for medical purposes.”

What Fox News reported: “‘The smoking of 3-4 cannabis cigarettes a day is associated with the same degree of damage to bronchial mucus membranes as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day,’ the team wrote in the journal.”

Except for the fact that it isn’t. In fact, here’s what Donald Tashkin of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, had to say about the subject earlier this month in an interview with the McClatchy newspaper chain. (**Note: Dr. Tashkin has performed US-government sponsored studies of marijuana and lung function for over 30 years and is considered to be the United States’ — if not the world’s — foremost expert on the subject.)

“What we found instead was no association (between marijuana smoking and cancer) and even a suggestion of some protective (anti-cancer) effect. … Early on, when our research appeared as if there would be a negative impact on lung health, I was opposed to legalization because I thought it would lead to increased use and that would lead to increased health effects. But at this point, I’d be in favor of legalization (of marijuana). I wouldn’t encourage anybody to smoke any substances. But I don’t think it should be stigmatized as an illegal substance. Tobacco smoking causes far more harm. And in terms of an intoxicant, alcohol causes far more harm.”

Just for the record, in 2006, Tashkin led the largest population case-control study (yes, Dr. Tashkin actually performed research on humans, not ‘calf thymus DNA’) ever to assess the use of marijuana and lung cancer risk. The study, which included more than 2,200 subjects (1,212 cases and 1,040 controls), reported that marijuana smoking was not positively associated with cancers of the lung or upper aerodigestive tract – even among individuals who reported smoking more than 22,000 joints during their lifetime.

Let the folks at Fox put that in their pipe and smoke it.

[beamish]

the key word they use is "under laboratory conditions". that right there tells you they are full of shit. so they developed this new method all of a sudden, huh? story reeks of bs.

[ArgoSG]

Marijuana dangerous?!

Crap, I better take this seriously!

Let's look at who is associated with this study!

Oh, Science of Spirituality.

Science of Spirituality. That doesn't sound too bad. Even the lead researcher of the study, Rajinder Singh, is right there on their website. But I mean, religions doing science.. well.. I guess.. if they.. play by the rules.. and.. oh .. wait.. whats this.. oh shit..

What is the Light and Sound of God?

When God brought creation into being, two principles emanated from God---the Light and Sound of God. The Light and Sound of God can be contacted within through a process of meditation as taught by the living Master of Sant Mat (Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission/Science of Spirituality).

Awwwww shit now why'd they have to go and do that.... well at least these religious scientists have a moral code of ethics. Sweet!

What is the role of ethical living in the Sant Mat teachings?

Ethical living is an indispensable foundation for spiritual progress. Ethical living includes:

• Nonviolence

Nice, nice, I'm down so far

• Truthfulness

Yeah, need me some more of that in the world.

• Humility

For sure.

• Purity

Dunno what you mean by that but sounds okay.

• Selfless service

I'm all for people being less selfish and more kind to each other... I'm assuming that's what you mean. Cool.

• Observance of a strict vegetarian diet

Damn dawg... not even eggs with my hash browns every now and then? A bacon cheeseburger after a bowl once in a blue moon? I really love smoked salmon, It's healthy because of all those omega-3-fatty acids.. but okay I guess I'll have to drop it, the other shit sounds pretty good! I'm ready to sign u- wai.. wait...WAIT WHAT THE FUCK? WHAT THE MOTHER FUCKING FUCK??!?

• Avoidance of alcohol and hallucinogenic and intoxicating drugs.

I'll stick with the gene mutations, peace. Your religion is dumb as shit anyway, and probably funded the research to suit your agenda. Can fuck off, thanks.

[chronicman00]

humans have been smoking chronic for thousands of years and we've come out fine. fuck that propaganda.

[tailsprower]

Standing out in the sun alters your DNA too. It's called cancer, and pretty much everything causes it.

[Emblazened]

Originally Posted by Broosh

Fox News is running an alarmist story today under the outrageous headline, “Marijuana Not Only Gets You High, It Damages Your DNA.”

The ‘news’ story, which several other mainstream media outlets are also promoting, is based on a new British study assessing the effects of, ahem, “calf thymus DNA treated in vitro (in a Petri dish) … with the smoke generated from 1, 5, and 10 cannabis cigarettes.”

Yes, really.

So how did Fox “We report, you decide” News summarize this non-story? Let’s take a look.

What Fox News reported: “Smoking marijuana not only gets you high, but it also alters your DNA.”

What the study actually said: “[T]hese results provide evidence for the DNA damaging potential of cannabis smoke, implying that the consumption of cannabis cigarettes may be detrimental to human health with the possibility to initiate cancer development.”

What Fox News reported: “There have been many studies on the toxicity of tobacco smoke,” researcher Rajinder Singh said in a news release. “Cannabis in contrast has not been so well studied.”

What Fox News didn’t report: From the March 2009 issue of the scientific journal Medicinal Research Reviews, “Research on the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids has reached enormous proportions. … [A]pproximately 15,000 articles on Cannabis sativa L. and cannabinoids and over 2,000 articles on endocannabinoids (are available in the scientific literature).”

What Fox News reported: “Singh said cannabis smoke contains 400 compounds including 60 cannabinoids. It also contains 50 percent more carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including naphthalene, benzanthracene, and benzopyrene, than tobacco smoke, Singh added.”

What Fox News didn’t report: From the November 2007 issue of the scientific journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, “Vaporization of marijuana does not result in exposure to combustion gases, … and [was] preferred by most subjects compared to marijuana cigarettes. … The Volcano [vaporizer] device is an effective and apparently safe vehicle for THC delivery, and warrants further investigation in clinical trials of cannabis for medical purposes.”

What Fox News reported: “‘The smoking of 3-4 cannabis cigarettes a day is associated with the same degree of damage to bronchial mucus membranes as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day,’ the team wrote in the journal.”

Except for the fact that it isn’t. In fact, here’s what Donald Tashkin of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, had to say about the subject earlier this month in an interview with the McClatchy newspaper chain. (**Note: Dr. Tashkin has performed US-government sponsored studies of marijuana and lung function for over 30 years and is considered to be the United States’ — if not the world’s — foremost expert on the subject.)

“What we found instead was no association (between marijuana smoking and cancer) and even a suggestion of some protective (anti-cancer) effect. … Early on, when our research appeared as if there would be a negative impact on lung health, I was opposed to legalization because I thought it would lead to increased use and that would lead to increased health effects. But at this point, I’d be in favor of legalization (of marijuana). I wouldn’t encourage anybody to smoke any substances. But I don’t think it should be stigmatized as an illegal substance. Tobacco smoking causes far more harm. And in terms of an intoxicant, alcohol causes far more harm.”

Just for the record, in 2006, Tashkin led the largest population case-control study (yes, Dr. Tashkin actually performed research on humans, not ‘calf thymus DNA’) ever to assess the use of marijuana and lung cancer risk. The study, which included more than 2,200 subjects (1,212 cases and 1,040 controls), reported that marijuana smoking was not positively associated with cancers of the lung or upper aerodigestive tract – even among individuals who reported smoking more than 22,000 joints during their lifetime.

Let the folks at Fox put that in their pipe and smoke it.

I was waiting for someone to take the time to shoot down and verbally pummel this article. Good, solid information.

If only anti-marijuana douchebags would take the time to do their own research and think for themselves, like marijuana smokers (what they call "potheads") easily do for themselves all the time.

+rep man, once again excellent post.

EDIT: Come to think of it, I wish every time one of these "legitimate" studies comes out, they were forced to post a response by an intelligent smoker side-by-side with the article to make sure people get all the facts.