Amish Genes

A new Reuters article discusses a study which discovered that Amish people have a rare abnormality in their genes that allows their triglycerides to accumulate slower than other humans. They only have 1 copy of the gene that makes the protein inhibiting triglyceride breakdown. Normally, humans have 2 copies allowing triglyceride levels to rise and as a consequence causing heart disease. This discovery will help scientists develop drugs that target this specific triglyceride breakdown inhibiting gene. That's a double score. Not only they get more exercise than us, they also have genetically desirable traits for the heart. The average life expectancy for Amish people is around 75 without the use of 21st century medical care. This is pretty good. Imagine the life expectancy of Amish people if they wound up using modern medical care. It would effortlessly shoot to 90s.