Scientists in US have found a way of turning lazy monkeys into workaholics

[ElsewheresDaughter]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3557310.stm


more genetic engineering
Monkeys test 'hardworking gene'

By Richard Black
BBC science correspondent

The monkeys were back to normal after 10 weeks of treatment
Scientists in the United States have found a way of turning lazy monkeys into workaholics using gene therapy.
Usually monkeys work hard only when they know a reward is coming, but the animals given this treatment did their best all the time.

Monkeys are rather like people in their approach to work - at least, those who live in a laboratory and learn to press levers for rewards of food and water.

They concentrate on their task only when the moment of delivery approaches.

"Monkeys under the influence of the treatment don't procrastinate"

Dr Barry Richmond
US National Institute of Mental Health
Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health near Washington DC, led by Dr Barry Richmond, have now developed a genetic treatment which changes their work ethic markedly.

The genetic treatment consists of blocking an important brain chemical - dopamine.

"Normal monkeys and people procrastinate - tend not to work very well when they have a lot of time to get the job done, and work better when the reward is nearer in time," Dr Richmond says.

[rkc3]

1. These guys are way behind.

We've already taught a monkey to be President.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. LMAO...you're correct

[Mandate My Ass]

4. ROFL

He needs to work harder at it though....on second thought, maybe not.

[Ganja Ninja]

6. President or not he's still lazy as hell. n/t

[Joanne98]

3. Isn't dopamine the one that makes you feel good?

Will we still need the "Protestant work ethic"? This could put preachers out of business. OH NO!!!!!!!!

[havocmom]

5. yeah, and they drug military personnel to make them stay awake

which also results in more violent behavior.

There was a small story, early on in the malAdministration's reign, about DOD trying to figure how to administer drugs to subdue large urban populations.

So, we want ways to increase production even more, make soldiers more destructive for more hours and drug any dissenting population into submission. Better living (for corporations) through chemically and genetically modifying the population.

[Nlighten1]

7. Brave new world or bust!

I look forward to our new hard-working monkey masters.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. another link to LATimes article....

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-workaholic12...

Injections Temporarily Turn Slacker Monkeys Into Model Workers

Laboratory monkeys that started out as careless procrastinators became super-efficient workers after injections into their brains that suppressed a gene linked to their ability to anticipate a reward.

The monkeys, which had been taught a computer game that rewarded them with drops of water and juice, lost their slacker ways and worked faster while making fewer errors.

Government researchers used a new technique to temporarily block a gene, known as D2, that normally produces receptors for the brain chemical dopamine — a component in the perception of pleasure and satisfaction.

Terrence Sejnowski, a neurobiologist at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, called the experiment a "tour de force" for opening a new way of modulating brain chemistry. "The ability to block a specific type of receptor in a specific part of the brain could allow a new generation of therapeutics with fewer side effects," he said.<snip>

[niceperson]

9. it sounds like they didn't enhance their work ethic

rather took away their ability to judge when it was worth it to work hard. So they worked consistently, that doesn't mean they worked better.

Too bad, I could use some anti procrastination drug treatment