Wire Magazine ran a story about scientists who have genetically modified tobacco plants to knock out a gene that helps turns nicotine into one of the carcinogens in cured tobacco.

The Philip Morris-funded North Carolina State researchers say the work could lead to less cancer-causing chewing tobacco. In large-scale field trials, they compared the levels of N-nitrosonornicotine, a chemical known as NNN, between GM tobacco plants and a control group.

It's strange they would put so much effort into getting the carcinogen out of one of the ingredients when there are still 68 other carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke. But hey they've got billions, gotta spend it somewhere right?

Check out the whole story here.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/03/philip-morris-t.html

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