Fat gene

[acer290]

So I was reading the newpaper today and I noticed an article about how some researchers and Pfizer have discovered a "fat" gene. Basically by controlling the gene they could control whether fat was stored or fat cells expanded. Of course there was more, but that is all I can think of off the top of my head.

Anyone read of this? I'll look for the article and post somemore.

 

[hesselite]

I've heard of such things before... I thought that information was quite old... maybe it was all in theory a few years ago. Nonetheless, with regard to a fat gene... I believe that we are products of our genes to the same extent as we are products of our environment (the way we were raised, how we treat our bodies, etc.) I don't want to draw the race line, but I've noticed that my black friends are RIPPED AND HUGE and they've never stepped foot in a gym. Similarly, none of my white friends are naturally ripped and huge. However, I have white friends who are huge, but have to work for it.

That aside, I think this will turn into an excuse for people to be fat, similarly as ADD has become a diagnosis for every child who can't concentrate (when there are a MILLION other possible causes for it).

My two cents.

--Hess

 

[The mann]

that's pretty interesting...................

 

[Grizzly]

That aside, I think this will turn into an excuse for people to be fat, similarly as ADD has become a diagnosis for every child who can't concentrate (when there are a MILLION other possible causes for it).

I totally agree with that. Just yesterday, my roomate's girlfriend told me that 50% of women have thyroid problems and that's why they're all fat. I couldn't help but laugh my ass off.

 

[BDog231]

I totally agree with that. Just yesterday, my roomate's girlfriend told me that 50% of women have thyroid problems and that's why they're all fat. I couldn't help but laugh my ass off.

Thats not funny dude. I do admit that women are quite emotional eaters, but Thyroid problems are more common place than you think.

 

[MS]

Hey there Acer, have you found a reference to that article yet?

Many genes have been put forward as "fat genes". With very few exceptions they don't apply at all to humans, or if they do they represent VERY rare genetic abnormalities (such as Prader-Willi or Angelman's). Otherwise they have to be considered as "fat susceptibility" genes. There are probably a lot of them that work in combo with environment. For instance there is a gene variation that is found more often in people of black african descent that is highly associated with fat gain in the presence of urbanization (ie sedentary, high carb/high fat diets etc.....), but does not affect people that carry the gene variation if they stay in their native environment and remain active and don't over eat. I suspect that anything put forward as a 'fat gene' will be similar. In other words it won't give most people an excuse for being pig-like couch potatoes and blaming it on their genes. If anything, the discovery of many of these genes will be a clear signal for obese people to turn off their television, get off their couches and start eating and exercising like our non-obese ancestors used to do!

 

[Grizzly]

I totally agree with that. Just yesterday, my roomate's girlfriend told me that 50% of women have thyroid problems and that's why they're all fat. I couldn't help but laugh my ass off.

Thats not funny dude. I do admit that women are quite emotional eaters, but Thyroid problems are more common place than you think.

That's probably true since I would believe that very, very, very, very, very few people have a legitemate medical excuse for being fat. So, maybe 1 out of every 10,000 people might have that problem. Hell, maybe that's still me being a hard-assed, uncaring prick. Either way, 50%?! That's fucking bullshit! Half of the women in the world have a thyroid problem? So, what you're saying is that half of the women on this planet have fucked up genes? I don't think nature fucks up that often. I think that I'll have to research this.

 

[MS]

Hehe I basically agree with ya Grizzly. However women (of all reasons and ethnic/genetic backgrounds) tend to carry more fat than males from the same environment/genetic background. This is apparently advanatageous when times are tough and pregnancies have to be brought to term for the survival of the species (plus breast feeding etc...).

In the modern, western world where food is plentiful and regular, these genes serve no positive function except, as usual, to make a female more appealing to a male for reproductive reasons. But somehow I suspect your average true blue blooded male will always be attracted to big boobs (a traditional symbol of a high estrogen/high fat therefore reproductively desireable females).

To drool after a big boobed, very lean and muscular females is, ummm, unnatural in reproductive terms.

 

[Bill W]

Big boobed, very lean and muscular? Who said anything about wanting kids? I just want to meet one!

 

[anthrax]

a fat gene ?

They may be a few genes that lead to obesity

but those years, scientists have found a serial killer gene, a gay gene, an alcoholic gene,.....LOL
but genes are just a part of the problems, and, as for obesity eating, dieting and doing some sport is another part of the issue