America has always been at the forefront of the technological revolution. The steam engine, the personal computer, the melt-resistant chocolate bar - all are amazing scientific achievements. And all might be overshadowed soon by a new drug that seeks to transform the way humans live their lives. Someone has actually developed health-in-a-pill. Once someone develops a girlfriend/boyfriend-in-a-pill, Americans might never again see the light of day.
The pill, recently developed by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, may become the couch potato's dream by providing the benefits of exercise in a once-a-day pill. Ron Evans, one of the study's authors, told MSNBC.com, "We have exercise in a pill. With no exercise, you can take a drug and chemically mimic it."
But the pill goes beyond getting rock hard-abs from sitting on your living room sofa. When coupled with exercise, the pill allowed sedentary mice to run 68 percent longer and 70 percent farther than mice who exercised without the drug. And it doesn't end there. Not only does the pill burn fat and provide endurance, but, according to the study, it enabled mice to resist weight gain on a high-fat diet, thus fighting obesity, and remove sugar from their blood, thus treating diabetes.
As I was planning my pizza and fried-Oreo party to commemorate this glorious achievement, I realized something. With the creation of this drug, what incentive will anyone have to do physical activity? In this world of sedentary pleasures like the Internet, video games and pizza rolls, why would anyone want to face the harsh realities of nature and movement?
As a nation, we need to be careful. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, children spend an average of 6.5 hours per day using - or rather, sitting with - some sort of electronic device, be it the television, a video game, computer or iPod. Adding those 6.5 hours to those needed for school and sleep, there's not much time left for exercise and the outdoors.
This is true for college students as well. How many times have you gone biking or swimming in the past month? According to a study at the University of New Hampshire, more than 40 percent of 18- to-24 year old college students are overweight or obese. And due to lower-income living, college students are also at risk for lower vitamin intake and higher fat intake, which can create serious future health problems.
Researchers say this new drug will be used to help people with genetic weight issues or those who could not otherwise perform physical activity because of surgery or age. But they're still calling it the "no-exercise pill," and the label speaks louder than the drug's intentions.
This pill is definitely a marvel of science and could go a long way in helping sick people. But it also sheds light on the epidemic of obesity that is clutching our nation in its pudgy little hands. There is a reason why an exercise pill still decades from potential human use is getting so much attention. Everyone wants a quick fix for America's big problem.
So far, the pill has only been tested on mice. Also, it only mimics aerobic exercise, not weight training. Regardless, it might be a long time before we see this thing on the shelves at CVS. But who wouldn't want to take a pill to become healthier if it became available? I know I would. But that would probably make me want to spend even less time exercising or even just outside. I feel like I should take advantage of my physical ability before age, family and the "real world" make it nearly impossible.
The ability to make the human body more efficient by manipulating naturally made chemicals is right out of a science fiction novel and can have far-reaching health benefits. With science progressing as fast as it is, who knows what we'll be able to do in the future?
I just can't wait until people can fly. I'm holding out for true weightlessness.
Stonecipher is an English and history senior.
Be the first to comment on this article!