Lotharios tamed by brain protein

[muriel_volestrangler]

Want to tame the eye of a philandering love rat? Then help is at hand. New research shows that gene therapy can turn promiscuous male voles into faithful bedfellows.

Miranda Lim from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and colleagues used a virus to introduce a gene directly into the brain of male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). The gene encodes a protein called the vasopressin receptor, which helps to regulate social behaviour and pair bonding.

A few days later, the normally promiscuous rodents developed high levels of vasopressin receptors and lost their lust for the ladies. The results are reported in this week's Nature.
...
Whether or not the technique could work in humans is not known. Promiscuous and monogamous monkey species have different patterns of vasopressin receptor expression that closely match those seen in the voles. So it is possible that philandering and faithful humans may share similar brain chemistry, says Lim.

http://www.nature.com/nsu/040614/040614-7.html

[redowl]

1. proteins...keys to a lot more

We are on the verge of learning so much. I sure hope we have the wisdom to use it in a good way.

[cprise]

2. Ah... to be forever faithful to

[bacchant]

3. Yeah right

How's THIS supposed to work? Take a pill and be faithful to who? How would it bind with a particular affection in your brain. Could it differentiate between your wife and the hundred other girls you'd love to do? Nonsense.

[PassingFair]

4. Glad you've exposed yourself

Not exactly "Marriage Material", are you? At least you're not a liar pants...