A new study conducted by a group of researchers at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge revealed the significant role of alcohol in causing damage to DNA in stem cells and thereby increasing cancer risks. The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and the results were published in Nature.
Scientists utilized mice models to demonstrate the permanent genetic damage caused as a result of alcohol exposure. They introduced diluted alcohol (ethanol) in mice models and used DNA sequencing and chromosome analysis to study the genetic damage caused by acetaldehyde—a harmful chemical produced when the body processes alcohol.
