Boozy Fruit Flies Offer Gene Tips

Scientists in North Carolina are getting fruit flies drunk to figure out the genetics of alcoholism.

According to a press release about a new study:

The researchers show that, in the fruit fly, the expression of many genes is modified by exposure to alcohol, and that mutations in some of these genes affect the flies' sensitivity to alcohol. Many of the genes analysed are also found in humans and the authors of the study conclude that studies in the fruit fly Drosophila could shed light on the genetic basis of human response to alcohol, including the susceptibility to alcohol abuse.

Yeah, yeah, but what do drunk fruit flies actually do when they're sloshed? Call their ex-boyfriends? Make passes at unattractive houseflies? Wake up with their heads face down in an orange rind?

I've emailed the authors to find out. (What other blog provides this kind of service?) Watch this space to see if they spill the details.