genes

We humans like to think of ourselves as on the top of the heap as compared to all the other living things. About 50 years ago, a person's estimated number of human genes was in the millions. Today we’re down to about 20,000 (while bananas have 30,000). It’s time to rethink the question of how the complexity of an organism is reflected in its genome.
A new study from Chinese researchers found a small, but significant, benefit among smokers trying to quit who have a particular gene variant related to the dopamine reward system. The benefit is not large enough to give any smokers comfort: just don't even start.