BrainSack

I was reading some blogs today and noticed a new drug that has been approved for “human trials”. Some say this new sun tanning drug is dangerous but it has some positive results as far as I can see from the before and after images and videos online. What is next a drug that helps you get smaller feet? (For the ladies with a bigfoot insecurity).

Well looks like you don’t have to lay in the tanning be as long as normal now. I have nothing against tanning since I am normally white (almost pasty) without a tan. I personally would not take this drug, it reminds me of that old movie Soul man

Here is a piece of the original article I found on Wired Sience: http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/01/tan.html?npu=1&mbid=yhp

A drug that stimulates the body’s tanning response — turning pasty skin caramel for up to two months  — has been approved for human trials, but not for tanning.

Although the drug will not be available for cosmetic purposes any time soon, similar compounds are already being widely abused on the pharmaceutical black market. The official product, a man made hormone called afamalenodtide, has received U.S. government approval to begin clinical trials.

“It’s a bioabsorbable implant that you just inject into the skin,” said Colin Mackie, director of business development for Clinuvel, the company bringing the drug to the U.S. “It stimulates melanin production.”

Melanin is the body’s natural pigment. It’s responsible for the color of skin and protects humans from harmful solar radiation. The drug will be tested as a treatment for patients who face serious danger from the sun’s rays, like those with rare genetic diseases or who must take immunosuppressants, Mackie said.

But online retailers already offer a similar (but not identical) compound under a more descriptive brand name, Melanotan II, which American and British health officials warn are already being abused.

“Using it could be dangerous to short and long-term health,” British health officials said in November.  It has not been tested for safety, quality or effectiveness and we don’t know the potential side effects yet.”

This week two British Medical Journal researchers warned that injecting the compound could change the size and shape of moles, which under normal circumstances can be a precursor to skin cancer.

What do you think? Would you use this tanning drug? Are you a Soul Man?