Posted on 11/17/2005 8:46:23 PM PST by neverdem
Scientists working with mice have found that by removing a single gene they can turn normally cautious animals into daring ones, mice that are more willing to explore unknown territory and less intimidated by sights and sounds that they have learned can be dangerous.
The surprising discovery, being reported today in the journal Cell, opens a new window on how fear works in the brain, experts said.
Gene therapy to create daredevil warriors is likely to remain the province of screenwriters, but the new findings may help researchers design novel drugs to treat a wide array of conditions, from disabling anxiety in social settings to the sudden flights of poisoned memory that can persist in the wake of a disaster, an attack or the horror of combat.
The discovery may well prove applicable to humans, the experts said, because the brain system that registers fear is similar in all mammals. Moreover, the genetic change did not appear to affect the animals' development in other ways.
"Potential clinical applications could be quite important" for people with "fear-related mental disorders," said Dr. Gleb Shumyatsky, an assistant professor of genetics at Rutgers, who led a team that included investigators from Columbia, Harvard, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Brain scientists who were not involved in the study said the study's finding was unexpected.
"The way I see it, there are three types of studies in science: one that moves a theory along, one that closes it and another that opens a new door altogether," said Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, which helped finance the research. "This one opens a new chapter, introducing an entirely new molecular candidate for the study of anxiety, and we're going to be hearing a lot about..."
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
They would have to remove a million genes to keep Clinton from lying.
social anxiety disorder ping
;-)
I knew some college coeds who became daring upon the removal on one jean...
Essentially, the mice will drop their genes and moon you.And that's no good.
Maybe we could use this discovery on demoncraps and wussy RINOs?
Thankfully this was discovered AFTER that meth lab in South Boston was found.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
When this gene is removed from a U.S. Senator the become Republicans. Only way to spalin it
Thanks for the link.
Shrews?
I'm too scared to discuss it....
Uugh, don't tell anyone else, but I've heard rumors about substances that have the same, albeit temporary affect. But don't tell anyone I told you about it. BTW, I've heard rumors these substances may also 'enhance otherwise normal paranoia'..
You beat me to it.
I've noticed that from drinking.
"... can turn normally cautious animals into daring ones, mice that are more willing to explore unknown territory and less intimidated ..."
Hmmmm?? I wonder how many of those genes we could have removed in the House and Senate.
WE NEED MORE DARING AND COURAGEOUS PEOPLE .. PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS INTIMIDATED BY THE LYING DEMOCRATS.
If you take out the genes...are the shorts next?
lol
lol
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