New Link Between Genetics And Obesity Discovered, UK

Call Al Gore. British researchers have released more hot air into the atmosphere.

"A group of scientists that includes Professor Chris Ponting of the MRC Functional Genetics Unit in Oxford and Prof Stephen O'Rahilly, University of Cambridge, has made a second breakthrough in twelve months in understanding how the 'obesity gene' triggers weight gain in some individuals."

Not hardly.

"Now, scientists have found that the FTO gene codes for an enzyme that can act directly on DNA to modify it - suggesting that it might have a role in controlling the turning on and off of other genes."

Note "suggesting."

In any event, there is no relationship between weight gain and genetics in the absence of more Calories in than out.

And there never will be. It is and always will be about the Calories.

To wit...

"'A lot of work is still needed to figure out how its actions influence body weight. The finding that FTO may have some involvement in the control of the function of the hypothalamus suggest that, like other obesity genes previously discovered, it may play some role in influencing how well the brain senses hunger and fullness. As the activity of FTO can be altered by small molecules like metabolites, it is possible, in the future, that FTO could be manipulated therapeutically to help treat obesity.'"

Note also, the "manipulate" you part.

Remember, they cannot cure toenail fungus.