Tobacco (or any other hobby/habit) and Genetics

[gsmunoz]

Although this article is about coffee and genetic predispositions, I find it interesting in regard to tobacco as well:
CNN: Your coffee habit may be genetic
My brother and were just talking about this a few weeks ago. It sure seems like there is a predisposition to tobacco, coffee, etc. Our dad is a long time smoker of both cigarettes and pipe (sold out Carter Hall fan), and the apple didn't fall far from the tree for both of us. (Yes, I know that is not scientific evidence) 8)
As science proceeds forward with genetic testing, I can't help but wonder if the future will be one in which genetic modification could actually be something that is offered as a medical solution. It would be easy to sell, driving down insurance costs, the list goes on and on.
Thoughts?

 

[ashdigger]

I don't drink caffeine for the "rush", I drink caffeine because it slows my brain down. Without caffeine I have too many thoughts colliding into each other.
If I can't sleep I'll have a large glass of cold brewed coffee and I sleep like a baby within 10 minutes.
Yes, I have ADHD and I'm 53. There's a serious dark side too.

 

[aldecaker]

@gsmunoz- This is something I'd love to discuss, but if I do it on the open forum, I WILL get myself banned. Hell, one time I mentioned that it struck me as odd how the same bunch who are always whining about overpopulation killing Mother Earth are the ones who want to legislate away anything that can make you die. Sweet mother of pearl, you'd think I was spouting Nazi eugenics or something, based on a couple comments I got.

 

[gsmunoz]

Oh oh. I sure didn't intend to cause any heated debates or start any fires here... 8O

 

[mackeson]

I'm not surprised at the genetic correlation. I drink a pot of coffee in the morning and at least 1-2 more cups throughout the day -- usually 1-2 more after dinner. I've never understood the words "I've had enough" when it comes to caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol (which is why I haven't touched alcohol -except to clean my pipes- for almost 8 years). I admire people who can have a glass of wine for dinner with no interest in having any more. The concept is as unbelievable a myth to me as catching leprechauns.

 

[aldecaker]

@gsmunoz-

It's very easy to do, unfortunately. I like being on this forum, and interacting with most of the folks here, so I try not to stir up a bunch of controversy. But we DO have a bit of a happy medium here; the citizenry here does not want to stick to pipes, pipes, and nothing but pipes. If they did, they would all be on Pipesmokersforum. That's the way that group prefers their forum; we seem to like ours slightly (but not much more) rough and tumble.

 

[gsmunoz]

@mackeson -
I hear you. That's the way I am with tobacco, I crave it. I can't do it with coffee though not all day. There is nothing more enjoyable than a properly pulled quality cup of espresso and that I can consume until mid-afternoon without any side effects. BUT, if I drink regular drip or pour over coffee in the afternoon it messes me up. I don't understand it, but I sure have seen the effects.
I am one of your leprechauns when it comes to drinking though. I don't drink more than half a dozen alcoholic beverages a year. I really enjoy a good Hefeweizen, Guinness, Shiraz, etc, but I can walk away from it without issue.
So very interesting what makes each of us tick...

 

[aldecaker]

Wow, talk about timing. Check out the thread on the boards titled "Ok, I'm Getting Worried" and you'll understand my caution.

 

[gsmunoz]

@aldercake -
oh boy... I just don't want to cause problems.
I will go no further because I DO NOT want this to get ugly or political.

 

[warren]

One can pretty much say whatever one wishes on this forum. It's all in the selection of the words and style the writer selects. Some here love confrontation. So, rather than just stating their message, they must use carefully chosen words or biases designed to inflame rather than simply inform.
Re: The OP. Genetics, with regard to predisposition, addiction and susceptibility to disease/illness have frequently been cited on this board over the years by many members.

 

[aldecaker]

@gsmunoz-I'm not trying to shut you down or censor you at all. Just explaining my personal caution. To be fair to you, we can fire up a heated debate with almost anything for kindling!

 

[gsmunoz]

@ aldercake -
I didn't take it that way at all. Thanks! Now to engage diversionary tactics to prevent political engagement. I will return shortly... :D

 

[gsmunoz]

Look at this, WILD TOBACCO in my backyard!:

(this appears to be a low growing varietal that has naturally adapted to the shorter growing climate in MN) :lol:

 

[mso489]

The relationship between genetics, experience, environment and behavior is pretty intricate. The idea that people will ever be able to read out and predict from gene testing in some penetrating way is dubious. You can suss out susceptibility to some disease and a growing array of other traits. But much humility is required to know the limits of our own intellectual capabilities. People keep lunging forward from knowing a little something to supposing they can use the data to determine nearly anything. The temptation to become a know-it-all is impossibly strong. To true scientists, and thinkers of many stripes, the more we know the more questions we perceive, and the more respectful we are of what we do not know. I worked with scientists for several decades, and with science journalists, and it was always discouraging when either profession had to leap to some optimistic conclusion about where some study or another might lead. Good research results, good applications, good translational science (as it was called) is a wonderful thing -- all somewhat rare, and properly perceived, humbling, not aggrandizing. Really top notch science usually goes against all standing presumptions, and stumps everyone in the field for years to come. At one point, I heard scientists talking about "making a mouse" because they were genetically modifying a mouse. How godlike. A horse breeder in ancient Rome probably felt the same way. Patience. Perspective. And no, we're not gods.

 

[deathmetal]

Our dad is a long time smoker of both cigarettes and pipe (sold out Carter Hall fan), and the apple didn't fall far from the tree for both of us.

More likely related to sensation-seeking or openness as personality traits.
Get your HBD on here:
https://hbdchick.wordpress.com/
WARNING: for mature adults only.

 

[prairiedruid]

Look at this, WILD TOBACCO in my backyard!:

So is burdock considered a burley?

 

[judcole]

We keep learning more, and will continue to do so. People are a lot more complicated than we realized.

 

[jitterbugdude]

Look at this, WILD TOBACCO in my backyard!:
So is burdock considered a burley?

Good call. Don't know how anybody could mistake that for tobacco.

 

[gsmunoz]

Just in case it was missed, that picture was my poor attempt at a little humor.