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If you're a alcoholic or fat and white good news. — Brooklynian

If you're a alcoholic or fat and white good news.

armchair_warrior
armchair_warrior
edited November -1 in The Lounge / Random Stuff

You can now blame genes and take no responsibility.

Scientists at the University of Aberdeen say a genetic switch - DNA which turns genes on or off within cells - regulates appetite and thirst.

The study suggests it is also linked to depression.

Dr Alasdair MacKenzie conceded it would not stop those moving to the west adapting to its lifestyle.

Obesity levels have risen sharply in many Western countries since the 1970s.

Dr MacKenzie, who lead the study team, told BBC Scotland they found Europeans were more inclined to consume fatty foods and alcohol - but that people from the East could end up with the same problems if adapting to a new culture.

Scientists at the university's Kosterlitz Centre said the switch controls the galanin gene.

Dr MacKenzie said: "The switch controls the areas of the brain which allows us to select which foods we would like to eat and if it is turned on too strongly we are more likely to crave fatty foods and alcohol.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14154598

Comments

  • brooklynboyyee
    brooklynboyyee

    As an individual with several alcoholics in my family, the concept of an alcoholic gene does make sense and is backed by science.

    Let me use this forum as an opportunity to put this message out there:

    YOU ARE A BIGOT. YOU SPEAK WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF CONSEQUENCE.

    Here is a perfectly legitimate scientific explanation and somehow you suggest that European-derived individuals are just casting their lots in life on their genes instead of taking responsibility for it. Such a loaded argument that no one incited except for yourself. How do you get the right to put words in others' mouths? No one was making excuses for obesity and alcoholism.

  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    humor called and he says get some.

    if folks really are offended by the title and junk mods please :p edit.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    There is a lot of research out there that indicates that addiction and obesity have genetic components (i.e. "diseases"); This study is simple "another" study reaching a similar conclusion.

    However, at this point, our understanding of how the brain works is pretty limited. We also have yet to develop sure-fire treatments that effectively counter the genetic predispositions we do discover.

    So, while one could sit around and say "I'm an alcoholic (or addict, or obese person) because I'm genetically predisposed", this is effectively a decision to give complete control to a disease that has been consistently shown to mercilessly destroy people.

    ...while one can not "cure themselves" of such diseases, most of the affected see the effects and decide they must swear off drugs, alcohol, and fatty foods.

    Sadly, many are unsuccessful.

    Those who find a way to not follow their brain's urges are very lucky, and very determined.

  • booklaw
    booklaw

    I was totally addicted to cigarettes. 2.5 packs a day of Marlboro reds for 25 years. I tried numerous times to quit... I eventually managed with the assistance of multiple nicotine patches; it was the hardest thing I've ever done.

    When I quit smoking, I started to eat uncontrollably... I became at least 80 pounds overweight. All manner of diets failed. I've now had gastric bypass surgery, and lost 45 pounds in the three months since. I expect to lose another 40 before I'm done.

    I figure whatever genetic dispositions may exist to addiction and obesity, I got 'em in spades.

    But genes or no genes, solutions can be found if one is sufficiently motivated.

  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    hmm booklaw which is worse you think smoking or over eating?

  • booklaw
    booklaw

    Smoking. It's a true addiction. Overeating, while a problem, is more of a psychological dependency than an addiction.

  • idlewild
    idlewild

    I'd say weight gain and smoking is combination of things. Certainly all of the processed foods America, parts of Europe and now China are consuming add to the problem of weight gain. And it's my theory your body becomes so used to fast burning empty calories, your body becomes an addict. And while someone like myself cannot resist that piece of chocolate cake, at the same time I can tell you that your body does go through withdrawals even when the weight is off.

    Nicotine is pretty self-explanatory. Alcohol, I'm not sure of. I drank a lot from 18 to 27 and quit. I didn't feel any withdrawals or the ilk. And I can still have a beer or mixer when I feel like it without going nuts. At the same time, I do believe an alcoholic's word when they say it's an addiction.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    What we define as "addiction" and "disease" is constantly changing.

    At this point the meanings relate more to individual saying the words than his/her profession.

    ...these words have multiple conflicting definitions.

  • idlewild
    idlewild

    I would say the addiction turns into the disease, or even visa versa. Or they go hand in hand. The addiction causes disease.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    I'm going to go out on a limb and say not being able stop drinking, using drugs, or eating fatty foods despite them having horrible effects on your life "really sucks".

    ...and I'd like a magic wand to help people stop.

    I'll leave the discussion whether something that "really sucks" is equal to "disease" or "addiction" to others.

  • idlewild
    idlewild

    armchair_warrior said:

    humor called and he says get some.

    if folks really are offended by the title and junk mods please :p edit.

    So then you really don't mind if Breakfast at Tiffany's is shown at Brooklyn Bridge Park? Cause I'll see it.

  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    go ahead see it, no my problem if you want to see something with racist overtures etc..

    I just have a problem with them doing it in a public place. Like i said in another post they think twice about black face etc... its about power and acceptance in society, if to a point when asians are accepted on media has lead roles(asian males, females always been accepted by white males lol). then it would just be another part of america. like how white people can be made fun of. when you are part of power its fine you should be poke fun at.

  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    by the way idlewild difference is no asian scientist was pretending to be white and writing the news article about western genes and making fun of western genes etc... huge differences. if it was some disgruntle Asian scientist making stuff up about western genes and how they fat alcoholics they are etc.. then it would be racist :p.

  • idlewild
    idlewild

    armchair_warrior said:

    by the way idlewild difference is no asian scientist was pretending to be white and writing the news article about western genes and making fun of western genes etc... huge differences. if it was some disgruntle Asian scientist making stuff up about western genes and how they fat alcoholics they are etc.. then it would be racist :p.

    I was going by the this conversation's title and opening statement and your answer to another poster's response.

    If you're a alcoholic or fat and white good news.

    You can now blame genes and take no responsibility.

    -humor called and he says get some.

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