Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

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Daphne W. Bell, Ph.D. defines Carcinogen

Carcinogen

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A carcinogen is an agent with the capacity to cause cancer in humans. Carcinogens may be natural, such as aflatoxin, which is produced by a fungus and sometimes found on stored grains, or manmade, such as asbestos or tobacco smoke. Carcinogens work by interacting with a cell's DNA and inducing genetic mutations.

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