Friday, March 31, 2006

Knocking Genes to Jog your memory...

[Click on title for link to original article]

We have all seen studies like this before, not exactly on the topic of long term memory genes, but on the topic of knocking off a particular gene, obtaining a result in a rat, and linking it to a serious disease in humans and expecting to provide a cure. I am always wary of such research.

Despite the fact that rats are good animals to provide experimental results on the semantics of research, we should realize that there is a long way to go from demonstrating a genetic engineering feat in rats, being able to transfer this demonstration to humans, and additionally, being able to actual help cure diseases and treat conditions in the future.

I would treat this news with a mere nod and say, "Well, good, there's hope." But the buck should stop there with jubiliations and pre - conceived conclusions..

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