Baldness Gene Discovered — 1 In 7 Men "At Risk" 297
FiReaNGeL writes "Researchers conducted a genome-wide association study of 1,125 Caucasian men who had been assessed for male pattern baldness. They found two previously unknown genetic variants on chromosome 20 that substantially increased the risk of male pattern baldness. They then confirmed these findings in an additional 1,650 Caucasian men. 'If you have both the risk variants we discovered on chromosome 20 and the unrelated known variant on the X chromosome, your risk of becoming bald increases sevenfold. What's startling is that one in seven men have both of those risk variants.'" So maybe gene therapy will finally have a real purpose.
Is baldness a disease? (Score:1, Informative)
If it's not, then it's awfully discriminatory to try to 'fix' it. Isn't there a genetic cause for black skin too? How bad would the summary be if we replaced "male pattern baldness" with "black skin" or "homosexuality"? Why is it ok for baldness?
Re:Not quite... (Score:3, Informative)
Not many people change color with age.
Those that do are real weirdos - look at MJ.
For those who may not realize it I will point out that this is a Flame. Yes you are correct that people who are on the periphery of a bell curve could be classified as "real weirdos". It's unfortunate but the only real method that I'm aware of to treat Vitiligo [wikipedia.org] is with shoe polish. And yes you are also correct in stating that "Not many people change color with age."; it's only about 1 to 2 percent of the population. In hindsight it's not too surprising that Michael Jackson often wore gloves because the symptoms of Vitiligo show up first in the extremities like a persons hands.
Re:Is baldness a disease? (Score:3, Informative)
baldness does contribute to depression - ask any baldie, or old man. (as thinning hair is associated with disappearing youth and all that entails in today's society) but they usually get used to it, and then they're fine.
Patrick Stewart (famously) said that he went bald early on, and hated it, really had a hard time accepting it. He said that no-one should become depressed by it, just accept it and get on with life and he wishes he hadn't spent so much time worrying over it. I guess its easy to say that in hindsight, but if it happens to you (and remember everyone has thinning hair eventually, just wait until you're 40) hopefully you'll remember this.
Re:Follow the money (Score:3, Informative)
Actually, Viagra was developed as a result of heart research. Ever notice that the ads say "don't take Viagra if you're taking nitrates for blood pressure?"
Now, it's definitely being used for sex, not cardiac therapy, but the development was for much more noble aims. Further, money (profit) earned by sales of Viagra helps to fund future research into other drugs.
As you say, investors would be foolish not to take advantage of the market for sex; the benefit goes beyond shareholders' pocketbooks, though.
Re:Why on earth,,, (Score:5, Informative)