Gene Mutation Makes Tot Super Strong

(AP) -- Somewhere in Germany is a baby Superman, born in Berlin with bulging arm and leg muscles. Not yet 5, he can hold seven-pound weights with arms extended, something many adults cannot do. He has muscles twice the size of other kids his age and half their body fat.

DNA testing showed why: The boy has a genetic mutation that boosts muscle growth.

The discovery, reported in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, represents the first documented human case of such a mutation.

Many scientists believe the find could eventually lead to drugs for treating people with muscular dystrophy and other muscle-destroying conditions. And athletes would almost surely want to get their hands on such a drug and use it like steroids to bulk up.

The boy's mutant DNA segment was found to block production of a protein called myostatin that limits muscle growth. The news comes seven years after researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore created buff "mighty mice" by "turning off" the gene that directs cells to produce myostatin.

Given the huge potential market for such drugs, researchers at universities and pharmaceutical companies already are trying to find a way to limit the amount and activity of myostatin in the body. Wyeth has just begun human tests of a genetically engineered antibody designed to neutralize myostatin.

Dr. Lou Kunkel, director of the genomics program at Boston Children's Hospital and professor of pediatrics and genetics at Harvard Medical School, said success is possible within several years.

Muscular dystrophy is the world's most common genetic disease. There is no cure and the most common form, Duchenne's, usually kills before adulthood. The few treatments being tried to slow its progression have serious side effects.

Muscle wasting also is common in the elderly and patients with diseases such as cancer and AIDS.

"If you could find a way to block myostatin activity, you might slow the wasting process," said Dr. Se-Jin Lee, the Johns Hopkins professor whose team created the "mighty mice.


*LIB Note: Somewhere out there Barry Bonds is smirking to hide a thought.

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

Two weeks ago a few of our friends got together and organized a surprise send off party for CQL. The occasion was her pending return to Maryland for a month and then the subsequent start of a microfinance missions project spanning just under a year in the Phillipines. Like any other Sneaky Twins production, the look on the guest of honor's face once reality kicked in will remain forever priceless.

Pink and yellow streamers, helium balloons flying everywhere, 5+ pounds of assorted cake, well wishes and thoughts, tears and paper towels, prayer, and worship....a very great night indeed.

You know though....I was kind of left with a bittersweet feeling by the end of the night. On one side there was this sheer sense of happiness. My friend was being bold in taking the next steps towards faithfully living for God in an environment where her many blessings would certainly uplift the people she came in contact with. She would most likely be grown and stretched in so many ways. She quit the job that stressed her out so much and followed through with a dream.

On the other side. My friend was leaving. Of the original NBSC, JYee left for Colorado first, followed by Shorty out to Blue Devil country, and now CQL. Selfish as it is for me to think....as long as I remained in this area of the country, it was always foolishly certain in my mind that these people would always be around as well. Haha, I just miss my friends.

The final thought though is this. I will eventually move on too. However, the people I hold dear will always be cherished and our times spent together forging friendships will hopefully last in spirit. They shall on my part atleast.

Good luck CQL.

See you in September JYee.

Glad you're back for the summer Shorty.

Just me and you now Donut.