When most people hear of someone with sculpted leg muscles and defined biceps they would normally envision a professional athlete, not a 4-year-old boy. Berlin doctors attributed one baby's physically mature body parts to being born with double the amount of a genetic mutation that has been shown to produce incredible strength in mice and cattle.
This first documented case of genetic mutation has doctors searching for ways to develop a drug that would produce similar effects as a way to help those suffering with muscular dystrophy and other muscle-related diseases.
A study involving mice revealed after the protein called myostatin was inactivated, the mice began to develop both muscle definition and strength. This prompted the doctors to test the baby and his mother for evidence of mutation in the myostatin gene.
The testing showed that the mother carried one nonfunctioning copy of the gene and both copies of the gene in the boy were inactive and not producing any myostatin.
Proposed Uses for a Myostatin-Depleting Drug
Researchers have questioned the ethics surrounding the use of genetic data and said it is too soon to tell the long-range effects of inactivating the myostatin.
Spartanburg Herald-Journal June 24, 2004
Don't believe for one minute that taking a pill, or anything for that matter, will give you extra strength naturally. And what about all the ethical issues involved in harnessing this gene--if it can be done at all--to give athletes and regular folks like you and me better strength and endurance.
If you are looking for a natural way to maintain your strength and endurance levels as you age or if you are an athlete engaged in a strength-training program, you should be sure that you are taking in the right types of foods for your metabolic type, as many illnesses stem from inadequate nutrition. If you're concerned that you aren't getting enough nutrients, such as while traveling, consider Whey Protein with Aminogen®--a protein supplement that is far safer than any gene-altering drug to produce energy and build strength.
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