A man sits outside and holds a slim menthol cigarette between his fingers. Close-up with focus on the cigarette.
getty
The short answer to the question is yes. The longer, more interesting answer is that until recently, the factors that shape the rate and nature of these mutations have remained poorly understood. For centuries, we’ve thought of these changes as part of the “genetic lottery,” something we can’t control. Science is now revealing that our choices and environments can tip the scales. The recent book, Destiny’s Child No Longer: Rewriting Genetic Fate, explores how advances in genetics are helping us understand and, in some cases, even influence this process. Now, a significant study published in Nature Communications provides some of the clearest answers yet about the role of lifestyle, ancestry, and genetics in shaping these mutations.
From Cigarettes to Cells: How Smoking Alters Your Child’s DNA
The study provided a comprehensive examination of how lifestyle and environmental factors impact the rate of new genetic changes. These changes, known as de novo mutations, are new genetic alterations that appear in a child but are not present in either parent. These mutations occur in the germline—the cells that produce eggs and sperm—so they can be passed on to the next generation. They matter because they can play a role in the development of rare diseases and influence how our species evolves.
Among all the factors examined, cigarette smoking stood out as a key contributor to increased mutation rates in the germline. When the data was analyzed, clear epidemiological evidence was found that cigarette smoking is significantly associated with a higher rate of these new mutations. Specifically, children whose fathers smoked, or whose parents both smoked, had a greater total number of de novo mutations.
Further analysis, which used more detailed genetic data, showed that having ever smoked was a significant predictor of increased mutation rates in both women and men. For women, this translated to a roughly 3.8% increase, and for men, about a 1.9% increase in mutation rates. When looking at both sexes together, smoking was linked to an overall increase of about 2% in the number of new mutations. Notably, the study found that the link between smoking and higher mutation rates was independent of a person’s ancestry. This suggests that the effect of smoking on genetic mutations is consistent across different backgrounds.
Despite the clear association with the overall number of mutations, the study did not find evidence that smoking changes the specific types of mutations that occur. In other words, while smoking increases the total count, it does not appear to alter the nature or pattern of these genetic changes. The study also employed advanced statistical methods to investigate whether smoking directly causes these increases in mutation rates. However, these analyses did not provide strong evidence for a direct causal effect.
Other lifestyle and environmental factors—such as alcohol consumption, body weight, sleep duration, and certain male reproductive health conditions—were also examined using genetic methods. Still, none showed a consistent or significant effect on mutation rates. The only exception was that women who, due to their genetics, reached menopause later tended to have children with fewer new genetic changes. This suggests that a longer reproductive lifespan might help protect against these mutations.
From Data to Discovery: Understanding How Mutations Are Studied
The research analyzed data from the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project, cataloging nearly 700,000 de novo mutations. The study investigated how various factors, including genetics, environment, and ancestry, affect the number and types of new mutations that occur in each generation and the germline. Mutations that happen in these cells can be passed on to the next generation, unlike mutations in other cells, which cannot be inherited.
The study compared individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with African, European, South Asian, and American ancestry. They discovered that people of African ancestry had a slightly higher number of new genetic changes compared to the other groups. However, the types of changes were generally similar across the groups, with some differences noted between individuals of European and South Asian descent.
The Interplay of Genes, Lifestyle, and Environment
The collective findings from this research paint a nuanced picture of germline mutation. While both ancestry and environmental exposures, such as smoking, independently influence de novo mutation rates, the impact of common genetic variation appears minimal, at least within the studied European ancestry cohort. This suggests that rare genetic variants, unmeasured environmental exposures, or complex gene-environment interactions may play a larger role than previously recognized.
The implications of these discoveries are far-reaching. Understanding the determinants of germline mutation rates is critical for interpreting patterns of human genetic diversity, reconstructing evolutionary history, and assessing disease risk. For example, the higher de novo mutation rate observed in individuals of African ancestry may contribute to the greater genetic diversity seen in African populations. At the same time, the modest effects of smoking underscore the importance of public health interventions to minimize preventable mutagenic exposures.
Making Genomics Work for Everyone
Despite its scale and rigor, the study has limitations. The sample size for some ancestry groups was smaller, potentially limiting the power to detect subtle effects. Additionally, the focus on common genetic variants may mean that rare variants with larger effects have been overlooked. Future research should aim to include even more diverse populations, leverage whole-genome sequencing to a greater depth, and integrate more comprehensive data on environmental exposures.
A key takeaway from this research is the necessity of including diverse genetic ancestries in genomic studies. Too often, research has focused disproportionately on populations of European descent, limiting the generalizability of findings. By embracing diversity and comprehensive epidemiological data, future studies can better unravel the complex web of factors influencing germline mutation, with profound implications for both evolutionary biology and medical genetics.
This study marks a step forward in our understanding of the factors that shape human genetic variation. While we can’t control the genetic lottery we’re born with, choices like quitting smoking can help protect not just our own health, but also the genetic health of future generations. This new understanding offers hope—and a sense of agency—in shaping our biological destinies.