{
  "id": 124444,
  "title": "A legacy written in DNA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/a-legacy-written-in-dna",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-04T09:50:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cancer Research UK",
    "slug": "cancer-research-uk",
    "url": "https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2026/08/04/a-legacy-written-in-dna/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Edward Speed, a member of the board that helped raise £100 million for the Francis Crick Institute, has left a lasting legacy through his decision to donate his body to the PEACE study. This Cancer Research UK-funded programme collects tissue samples from terminally ill individuals, both before and after their death, providing researchers with a unique opportunity to study the impact of cancer and its treatments on the body. Recent analysis of data from 22 participants in the PEACE study has uncovered unexpected 'mutational fingerprints' in healthy organs of people with advanced cancer, offering new insights into how cancer and its treatments affect various parts of the body. The findings reveal genetic changes associated with immunotherapy, a treatment not previously thought to directly damage DNA, which may be explained by the selective pressure cancer treatments place on cells.",
  "key_points": [
    "Edward Speed, 68, bequeathed body to PEACE study after cancer battle.",
    "PEACE study explores cancer treatment's impact on body's organs.",
    "Study reveals \"mutational fingerprints\" in healthy organs of cancer patients."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}