Reasearch by Mr. Obvious

Thousands of hours and millions of dollars have apparently been spent to give us groundbreaking news that hit the streets today:  genetics play a role in how likely you are to get hooked on cigarettes.  Who knew?!

I would have never guessed as I grew up with both parents puffing away that I would pick up the habit.  Perish the thought that if it took my mom thirty years to put them down, and my dad more than twenty, that I might have a little trouble quitting.  (It took me 18 years!)  Did it really take three teams of highly paid, well financed, brilliant scientists to come up with this? 

Okay, I realize there is a serious part to this.  By identifying the specific genetic tendency of the nicotine addict (and the lung cancer patient) they can identify those more likely to have problems.  But what does this really accomplish?  I can take you to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or a Hank Williams, Jr. concert and give you a pretty good idea who's at risk of being hooked on Marlboros.

In everything I read about this, nothing was mentioned about how this might lead to a cure for lung cancer or a solution for nicotine dependency.  Isn't that the point of all this research? 

One expert pointed out they will be able to fashion a test to determine if you're predisposed to smoking.  Of course he also pointed out that insurance companies might use that test to raise rates or even deny health and life insurance. 

Great.  Thanks for the research, guys.  Next time, can you come up with a study that will give the oil companies an excuse to hike gas prices further?  I'll be sure to sign up for the 5K run that will fund that one.