For generations, many Parsis have eschewed smoking, considering the act sinful. Fire is considered sacred and hence placing any form of the flame in close proximity to the mouth is viewed by many as being disrespectful to the religion. This religious stricture has paid dividends. Research by the Bangalore-based Avesthagen biomedical company found the Parsi community displayed "a lack of association with lung cancer and low frequency of DNA mutational signatures associated with tobacco smoking carcinogen induced cancers," according to a press release from the firm.
The company founded and run by scientist Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell (pictured) has been "collecting......