If you were blaming your "genes" for your drinking problem, you may have been right! In one of the largest genome-wide association meta-analysis, and replication study to date, researchers have identified a gene variant that suppresses the desire to drink alcohol, an exciting development, that could lead to the development of pharmaceutical drugs to regulate problematic alcohol consumption.

The study has found that a variation of the gene beta-Klotho, has a hormonal link between the liver and the brain which regulates alcohol consumption, and may help scientists develop new treatments for problem drinkers, in the coming future.
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<center>https://i.imgsafe.org/d5da3c4ae5.jpg</center>
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<center>**Around 60 per cent of the population having the variation of the gene that makes you inclined to like a tipple, new research has found.** [[Photo Credit]](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/hormonal-link-brain-liver-alcoholism-health-a7444751.html)</center>
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The study entailed the mapping and comparing the genetics of over 105,000 light and heavy social drinkers of European descent, with other large populations around the world.

According to Dr David Mangelsdorf, from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in the USA,

> The study identified a variation in the beta-Klotho gene linked to the regulation of social alcohol consumption. The less frequent variant – seen in approximately 40 per cent of the people in this study – is associated with a decreased desire to drink alcohol

One of the biggest killers, alcoholism or the consumption of excess alcohol has been the cause of almost 3 million deaths a year. And as the political and social conditions around the world change, these numbers are bound to change. But if this study is any indicator, then there is a chance that the urge to drink is completely nullified using these new techniques.

The only part I did not like in all this was that most of the experiments were done on rats! I may be wrong, but I feel subjecting any living creature to such ruthless experimentation so that humans benefit, is extremely cruel and should be stopped!
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<center>**Sources for the post and further reading**</center>
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1. http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2016/11/29/gene-for-alcohol-moderation-found.html
2. http://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/health/2016/nov/29/gene-that-limits-desire-to-drink-alcohol-1543833.html
3. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/hormonal-link-brain-liver-alcoholism-health-a7444751.html
4. http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_28-11-2016-0-23-8
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