A trend seems to be developing as genetic engineering progresses: manipulate the human immune system so that it fights the substance of your choice. This time, Dr. Kim Janda of the Scripps Research Institute in California has developed a vaccine which stimulates the immune system to suppress the hormone ghrelin, which helps regulate appetite, metabolism and weight. The effect on rats is that they lose weight, despite that they eat the same as other rats who get fat.
The thing about vaccines though, is that they are preventative medicines. Normally one would get vaccinated before exposure to infection. How will this affect already obese people? The research is still in its early stages, so it will be years before we know. Pretty interesting though!
