News in Brief Genetics

Almost all healthy people harbor patches of mutated cells

Tissues exposed to the environment such as skin have more mutations, a study finds

gene mutations

SUNNY SABOTAGE  Exposure to sun, smoke, pollution and other environmental factors leads to more patches of mutated cells in healthy people’s skin, esophagus and lungs, a new study finds.

Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

Normal isn’t always normal. A new study finds that large groups of cells in healthy tissues carry mutations, including ones tied to cancer.