Scientists discover muscle growth inhibitor

dudara

Muscle Kid

There's a kid in Germany who has freakish muscle growth. The reason for this is that he has a genetic mutation that means the natural muscle growth inhibitor is missing from his body.

Jak

Be interesting to see the health implications for the little fella.

daveirl

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dudara

It would seem to me that we have this natural muscle inhibitor for a reason, whatever it may be. If we turn off a component of the body's natural regulatory system, we have to expect consequences.

daveirl

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dudara

One independent genetic mutation does not neccessarily make evolution however. If it occurs a few times, then yes perhaps.

I'm just very cautious about messing with nature. Not anti-, but very cautious.

Stark

Originally posted by daveirl
no not necessarily. This is how evolution comes about, spontaneous genetic mutation. To assume automatically that this and any other genetic mutation would automatically mean you would have adverse health effects would mean you would have to assume that we are already at the pinnicale of evolution.

Well it is highly likely that a mutation that occurs would be harmful. In the process of evolution most genetic mutations are harmful with the rare enhancement which then gives the particular individual an advantage in the breeding stakes so the enhancement propogates.

If the mutation is such that his muscles stay at this "doubled" size or whatever it is, then it's probably beneficial since originally muscle inhibitor probably helped by not wasting precious resources on muscles that weren't needed. In this modern age with plentiful food supply the above mutation would be an advantage probably.

If however his muscles continue to grow ad infitum then that would consitute a major problem.

daveirl

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