Human Evolution May Be Responsible for Increased Risk of Developing Cancer
Even in the absence of risk factors such as the use of tobacco and genetic predisposition, human beings are susceptible to developing tumors that lead to colorectal, lung, prostate and breast cancers. A study led by researchers from UC San Diego in collaboration with the Moores Cancer center explains why this is so. The study suggests that a unique evolutionary gene mutation may partly be to blame. Ajit Varki, a senior author of the study, who’s a professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, explained that the siglec-12 protein of a human’s immune system, which is produced by…