(The Salt Lake Tribune) -- Utah geneticists say they have found the biological equivalent of the Rosetta stone for heart disease and overweight bodies: a single, inherited obesity gene.

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Oct. 31, 2002

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.
Harvard Medical School

How does this article relate to me?

There is no doubt that obesity is an important problem: There is an epidemic of obesity in this country and elsewhere, and the condition contributes to a number of serious diseases. And there is no doubt that our genetic makeup is vitally important to how we develop and function. But what is less clear is how important our genes are in the development of obesity. It's a classic "nature versus nurture" question: Does obesity develop because of the influences of the social and cultural environment, or because of a defective gene (or set of genes)? This critical question remains unanswered despite decades of research about how and why some people struggle with obesity while others do not. And the answer need not be one or the other. It is likely that some combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to excessive weight.

This report describes a potentially important development: The identification of a human gene associated with obesity. If this is confirmed, it raises the possibility that a drug could be developed that blocks or alters the effects of this gene as a treatment for obesity. If this gene turns out to be critical to the development of obesity, gene therapy could even "cure" the condition, markedly reducing the associated health risks. And genetic testing might be able to identify those at risk for obesity, so preventative measures could be taken to avoid weight gain and its associated health risks before they have a chance to develop.

What changes do I need to make?

The information provided in this report is preliminary and does not yet have an application for treatment. So, until more is known about the genetic contributions to obesity and how to counter its effects, do all that you can to maintain optimal body weight. Paying attention to diet, getting regular exercise and monitoring your weight (or, even better, your body mass index) are good places to start. There is no one way to lose weight or keep your weight where you want it — different approaches work for different people. If you are trying to lose weight without success, keep trying until you find a program that works for you. Follow the news on treatments for obesity, as it is likely that new therapies will be announced in the coming years.

What can I expect in the future?

Look for more details about this newly described human obesity gene in the next few days and weeks. Only limited information was provided in this report, but the researchers have promised more detailed information soon. It will be important to know how strong the link was between this gene and obesity and how this gene functions to promote weight gain. If it turns out that this gene is truly critical to the development of obesity, there could be controversy about who should be tested for its presence, especially if effective prevention of obesity is not yet possible. Will knowing about this gene be helpful? Will life or health insurance rates rise if one carries this gene? Finally, look for other researchers to confirm the findings of this report and to announce the discovery of other genes involved in obesity.

The experience with previously approved medications to promote weight loss has been disappointing, but that does not mean that future treatments are doomed to failure. Advances in gene identification and drug development may lead to new medications or other interventions for obesity in a relatively short time. The first step in developing such interventions is gene discovery, as described in this report. Although a relatively new science, identification of genes and their links to human disease are occurring with such frequency that these advances may soon seem routine.

Related Areas:

Obesity
Genetic Testing