Science: Health: Dieting: Illness
Weight loss GM tape worm   (+9, -3)  [vote for, against]
Genetically modified tape worm for weight loss.

Why diet when you can control your weight with a genetically modified tape worm?
-- mhh5, Jul 02 2001

As the Worm Squirms http://www.snopes.c...nities/tapeworm.htm
The Urban Legends Website's take on tapeworm "diets." [Uncle Nutsy, Jul 02 2001]

Living Tattoo Weight Loss Program http://www.halfbake...ht_20Loss_20Program
Another "genetically-modified parasite leads to weight loss" idea- and it looks cool, too! [Uncle Nutsy, Jul 02 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]

Super-Toys Last All Summer Long http://www.wired.co...ffsupertoys_pr.html
Courtesy of Wired. [bookworm, Jul 02 2001, last modified Oct 21 2004]

As the Worm Squirms http://www.snopes.c...nities/tapeworm.htm
The Urban Legends Website's take on tapeworm "diets." [Uncle Nutsy, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

How would the genetically-modified tapeworm differ from the non-genetically-modified sort?

Intentional tapeworm infection as a means of weight control is the subject of many an urban legend and may have even been tried by unscrupulous quacks in reality. See link.
-- Uncle Nutsy, Jul 02 2001


This is half-baked in Brian Aldiss's short story "Super-Toys Last All Summer Long" (upon which the movie A.I. was based).
-- bookworm, Jul 02 2001


Very popular a century ago. Very well baked. Where can I find some?
-- yunohu, Jul 03 2001


It wouldn't teach people to eat healthily and/or in moderation.
-- jetgrrl, Jul 03 2001


The worms could be modified to (a) secrete vitamins for clearer skin/shinier hair, (b) secrete any other fashionable supplements believed to cause improved wellbeing among those who believe in them, (c) remove any negative side-effects, and most importantly, (d) make them sterile, thus protecting the patentholder's intellectual property rights.
-- acb, Sep 04 2001


The tape worm has been used for decades for weight loss,...still is. And not by unscrupulous people. While not a wise decision,many desperate people take the pills. Just do an online search for them. Why do I know this? My friend Teri took them. Yes,they do work. You just need to keep a lot of vitamines in you until you lose the weight,then,get rid of the parasite. You also need to be careful how you eat aftar that,since all the food is going to you then. She lost 50 lbs. As to people being too lazy to stop eating so much,sometimes thats true,sometimes not. Some people just cant lose the weight,sadly enough. I keep myself fit by horseback riding and swimming. But,if you dont have a horse,or a pool,well,..
-- GunShy, Aug 28 2004


i want tapeworm pillssssssss....email me about it at liquidforce131@hotmail.com...please if you can help me, let me know, my aunt took them, and is doin fine, let me know about them pleasssse
-- iminperu, Sep 03 2004


(iminperu) why don't you ask about them to your auntie?. He's doing fine. Really it's super cooked, it's been on use since Eve got a tapeworm accidentally. And how about passing the infection to somebody that doesn't want it?. Imagine if a were to lose my beer potbelly. It's taken me years to get it to its present shiny roundness. Oh, my good, I feel very bad, but I must fishbone.
-- finflazo, Sep 04 2004


Or, you could infect yourself with HIV, schistosomiasis, malaria or a host of other horrible diseases. They will all cause wasting of the body.

Or, you could go on a sensible diet and walk daily. There are direct links that point to the fact that walking decreases your risk of alzheimer's, osteoporosis, heart disease, muscle wasting during dieting and obesity. The recommended amount to walk is at least 2,000 steps per day/per walk.

There is no easy out here. Tapeworm weight loss? Bogus medicine. [-]
-- Klaatu, Oct 25 2004


why does general motors have to make it
-- benfrost, Oct 25 2004


Benfrost, you are an idiot. GM stands for 'Genetically Modified'
-- Georges, Dec 27 2006


No, [Georges], I believe you are incorrect.

As part of the efforts General Motors has been making to diversify and be more competitive with the Japanese automakers, the division HAS purchased some small companies that fall under the "alternative medicine" label and has been experimenting with just this very thing.

Saw it on the news last week.
-- normzone, Dec 27 2006


A bit concerning that [mhh5] knew about GM's entry into the market over two years ago. General Motors should improve their information control mechanisms to maintain their lead in this field.
-- david_scothern, Dec 27 2006



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