From today's Furious Seasons:

Is There a Gene for Skepticism?

Because if there is, I've got it. Which is to say that yet another study is out in which yet another group of researchers claim that they have found yet another gene associated with schizophrenia. I am a big fan of brain research and of chasing down each and every gene associated with each and every mental illness. The trouble is that the media will splash these revelations around the world, as they have with this one, as if someone has just found the Rosetta Stone. I think this breeds false hope in patients and their families.

I've been seeing announcements of this sort for a decade or more. Gene X is the cause of bipolar disorder, Gene Y is directly linked to schizophrenia, and so on. Has anyone seen any of these genes become the pathway to a cure, much less a safe and effective treatment for patients? I haven't.

The sad fact is that scizophrenia treatments haven't advanced much in 50 years. If Gene Y were truly the genetic source of this nasty disease, it would still be 10 to 20 years before it'd lead to a handy capsule one could pop into one's mouth. In the meantime, we do need to find another way to grapple with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, as our current approaches simply are not working out too well.

So wake me when it's all over.

NOTE: Here's my standard disclaimer: No, I am not bashing researchers and arguing to forestall genetic research. I am a big fan of genetic research. Give the researchers all the money they say they need, and then double the amount. Seriously. But we do need to keep matters in a real-world perspective.

Well-said. My eyes glaze over every time I get an email about another study of this kind. Until I get real proof, I'd have to say these genes don't fit. Heh. It's a laugh a minute over here.