November 11, 2009
A Cure for Alcoholism May be Closer
Intoxicated fruit flies have helped scientists find genes that
control drinking habits.
A Cure for Alcoholism May be Closer
Intoxicated fruit flies have helped scientists find genes that
control drinking habits.
SUMMARY: Drunken fruit flies have helped scientists find genes (also present
in humans) that play a role in alcohol drinking behavior, a study has found. The
investigation has identified molecules in the body that might be targets for
anti-alcoholism drugs.
Geneticist Robert Anholt from North Carolina State U. and colleagues timed
how long it took for fruit flies to lose control after being exposed to alcohol.
While measuring levels of activity in the insects' genes, the scientists were able
to pinpoint those that played a crucial role in the response to alcohol exposure.
The scientists then found that humans have the same genes that contribute to
alcohol drinking habits as do the flies. Their findings were published in the
October issue of Genetics. The journal's editor-in-chief, Mark Johnston, says
science has known for a while that genetics have played a role in alcohol
consumption. Referring to the genes, Johnston says, "As a result of this work,
we have a potential drug target for curing this insidious condition (alcoholism)."
The research also shed light on the negative side effects of drinking such as
liver damage and also why some people can tolerate alcohol better than others.
To read the entire article, click on this link to WORLD
COMMENT: This story illustrates science at its best--research that may help to
alleviate a serious condition that affects way too many people. If only the many
scientists whose work focuses on conjuring up wild tales of life and the universe
"millions and billions" of years ago would only turn to solving current practical
problems, the world I believe would be much better off.
A possible downside of a story like this one might be for some people to blame
their sinful behavior on nature or their genes. A sin is a sin and people must
take responsibility for all their misdeeds. Yes, one's genetic makeup might make
it easier to fall into certain sins, but Jesus blames our souls, not our genes, for
sin when he says, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery,
sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." (Matthew 15:19, NIV)
In college I had a very respected professor who admitted he had an inclination
for wanting to gamble. Even when he himself resisted the urge to gamble, he
said he still liked opportunities to watch other people gamble. Yet, he didn't
blame his flesh (i.e. bad genes) for any shortcomings, but he recognized the
potential for losing large sums of money and apparently, with God's help,
resisted those temptations.
The reason we are sinful is due to the fact we have inherited a sinful nature
from our parents (Psalm 51:5) who inherited it from their parents, and so on,
all the way back to Adam (Romans 5:12). That may be the reason, but it's not
an excuse. Thankfully, we have a perfect cure for our sinful souls. The cure
can't be found with science but only with God. The Father sent His only Son,
Jesus, to die for our sins so that we believers could enter heaven's gates on
the Last Day without any faulty genes or sinful hearts.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
The wife of what world leader claims to have been abducted by aliens?
**************************************************************************************
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containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
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several hours for it to appear on the blog.
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in humans) that play a role in alcohol drinking behavior, a study has found. The
investigation has identified molecules in the body that might be targets for
anti-alcoholism drugs.
Geneticist Robert Anholt from North Carolina State U. and colleagues timed
how long it took for fruit flies to lose control after being exposed to alcohol.
While measuring levels of activity in the insects' genes, the scientists were able
to pinpoint those that played a crucial role in the response to alcohol exposure.
The scientists then found that humans have the same genes that contribute to
alcohol drinking habits as do the flies. Their findings were published in the
October issue of Genetics. The journal's editor-in-chief, Mark Johnston, says
science has known for a while that genetics have played a role in alcohol
consumption. Referring to the genes, Johnston says, "As a result of this work,
we have a potential drug target for curing this insidious condition (alcoholism)."
The research also shed light on the negative side effects of drinking such as
liver damage and also why some people can tolerate alcohol better than others.
To read the entire article, click on this link to WORLD
COMMENT: This story illustrates science at its best--research that may help to
alleviate a serious condition that affects way too many people. If only the many
scientists whose work focuses on conjuring up wild tales of life and the universe
"millions and billions" of years ago would only turn to solving current practical
problems, the world I believe would be much better off.
A possible downside of a story like this one might be for some people to blame
their sinful behavior on nature or their genes. A sin is a sin and people must
take responsibility for all their misdeeds. Yes, one's genetic makeup might make
it easier to fall into certain sins, but Jesus blames our souls, not our genes, for
sin when he says, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery,
sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." (Matthew 15:19, NIV)
In college I had a very respected professor who admitted he had an inclination
for wanting to gamble. Even when he himself resisted the urge to gamble, he
said he still liked opportunities to watch other people gamble. Yet, he didn't
blame his flesh (i.e. bad genes) for any shortcomings, but he recognized the
potential for losing large sums of money and apparently, with God's help,
resisted those temptations.
The reason we are sinful is due to the fact we have inherited a sinful nature
from our parents (Psalm 51:5) who inherited it from their parents, and so on,
all the way back to Adam (Romans 5:12). That may be the reason, but it's not
an excuse. Thankfully, we have a perfect cure for our sinful souls. The cure
can't be found with science but only with God. The Father sent His only Son,
Jesus, to die for our sins so that we believers could enter heaven's gates on
the Last Day without any faulty genes or sinful hearts.
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
The wife of what world leader claims to have been abducted by aliens?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
**************************************************************************************
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| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
Miyuki Hatoyama (picture from Wikipedia), wife of
Japan's Premier Yukio Hatoyama, claims that while
she was asleep, her soul rode in a
triangular-shaped UFO to Venus, which she found
to be a very beautiful place.
Source: Parade (November 8, 2009)
Japan's Premier Yukio Hatoyama, claims that while
she was asleep, her soul rode in a
triangular-shaped UFO to Venus, which she found
to be a very beautiful place.
Source: Parade (November 8, 2009)