Mayo Researches Find Obesity Key

The researches at Mayo along with other universitys have collaborated, and discovered a molecular mechanism that controls enrgy expenditure in muscles and helps determine body weight. This exciting discover cold lead to a new method of obesity treatment. ATP-sensitive potassium channels are able to sense areas with high levels of ATP, and adjust heart and muscle performance accordingly.

In animals such as humans, excess energy is stored and this channel helps our bodies to use energy more effeciently. In theory, if one was to be missing these channels, they would be able to consume more, store less, and therefore, not gain any weight.
The study was originally done on mice by Dr. Alekseev ho was able to inactivate the KATP channels in some of the mice. He observed the mice with the inactive channels to be leaner throughout their life span.

I found this article to be extremely interesting. If we reach a point where weight can be controlled medically, there will be no motivation to excersize or eat well. I am curious to see how this plays out ethically in our society. Can this be a beneficial contribution to moden medication, or are we heading towards the feared world Aldous Huxley speaks of in "Brave New World"?

Erica Williams
VTPP 435

http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=8073