Smoking 'causes hundreds of DNA changes'
Smoking leaves an "archaeological record" of the hundreds of DNA mutations it causes, scientists have discovered.
Having sequenced thousands of tumour genomes, they found a 20-a-day smoker would rack up an average of 150 mutations in every lung cell each year.
The changes are permanent, and persist even if someone gives up smoking.
Researchers say analysing tumour DNA may help explain the underlying causes of other cancers.
Pamela Pugh, 69, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013. She started smoking aged 17 and quit in her early 50s.
More At: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-37849000
But I don't think it would alter the DNA for forensic purposes.
