THE discovery of a gene linked to human obesity has sparked a fresh quest for a drug to combat the condition.
Donna Shattuck and Steven Stone at Myriad Genetics of Salt Lake City, Utah, found the gene, HOB 1 鈥� or Human Obesity 1 鈥� by comparing DNA from healthy and obese people and their families. When damaged or mutated, the gene is thought to make a defective protein that tells the body to store fat instead of metabolising it normally. So by blocking the gene with a drug, Myriad hopes to tackle obesity at its source. They have also linked their gene with diabetes.
A study released by the World Health Organization last week says there are 1 billion obese people in the West.
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