Mice Get Benefits of Dieting Without the Diet
Discovery News reported earlier this month that scientists were able to remove a single gene to extend the life span and quality of life of female mice.
The most popular diabetes drug in the United States, metformin, targets the same proteins produced by the deleted gene, raising the possibility that millions of people might have been taking a life-extending drug for the last 50 years.
Thankfully, I am not diabetic although I have been warned I am heading that way. So, I don’t have any personal experience to draw upon when it comes to Metformin or other diabetes treatments. But the thing that is very interesting here is the possibility for engineering genetically a more healthy body. I’m not sure how I feel about that – honestly, my attitude would be “Ok, you go first” to the scientists that develop a genetic treatment plan. But, it’s still interesting to think about and discuss the possibilities.
