Prescribe Pills to Offset the Shakes to Offset the Pills: Can Pills Replace Exercise?

*Panic at the Disco

Ok so now there's this pill that is being tested in lab rats that has similar effects on the body as exercise. Apparently, these rats burn more calories, have less fat, and can run faster and longer on a treadmill than their untreated counterparts.

As it stands now, this is only the case in rats. Human testing has not yet begun. Of course, the researchers are dreaming of helping the morbidly obese and those with physical limitations attain a healthier lifestyle. But I'm concerned with the fulfillment of these dreams. Such substances are easily abused.

The scientists have already developed a way to detect it's presence in the body so as to prevent athletes from illegally enhancing their performance, but I wonder if that's the only problem. Seemingly, it's a better alternative to the dangerous and extremely invasive gastric bypass surgery, and it sounds like a godsend for those who are physically incapable of exercising. However, what about the high school student that just wants to be as thin as the models in the magazines? Could it not become something of an addiction, or substitute for an eating disorder?

And what about the promotion of instant gratification? Results without work. Isn't that what got our country the gold medal in obesity? And isn't that what has entrapped us in the cycle of fad diets and weight-loss pills? Now you could possibly have some of the benefits of exercise without trying. What's next, mass production and distribution of steroids?

I have an idea. Why don't we start promoting a work ethic and enjoying the reward of accomplishing goals through our own effort? As you can see, I'm a little worked up about this; I hope I'm not being too dramatic. But I see a slippery slope in this new advancement, and I dread the day it's approved by the FDA.

Note: This pill mimics aerobic exercise only, so the strength training is still up to the individual. The developers are saying that because of this, among other reasons, exercise is better for most people.

So, what do you think?

We have exercise in a pill. With no exercise, you can take a drug and chemically mimic it."-Ron Evans, author of study

"[Laurie] Goodyear [of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston] said exercise has such widespread benefits in the body that she doubts any one pill will ever be able to supply all of them. 'For the majority of people,' she said, 'it would be better to do exercise than to take a pill.'" -Malcolm Ritter, Associated Press