Circadian Genes inactivated in Polar Animals

[DRZion]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311123516.htm

It would be very interesting if drugs were developed which would do the same with humans - no more sleep cycle !

Although I'm sure that these animals still need to sleep I do wonder how often and based on what.

 

[draqon]

the sleep cycle still needs to occur even if we manage to halt the circadian genes.

 

[skund]

It would be very interesting if drugs were developed which would do the same with humans - no more sleep cycle !

Although I'm sure that these animals still need to sleep I do wonder how often and based on what.

The article says polar animals still have a day/night cycle, it's just evolved to detect light levels and not run off a 24 hour 'clock' like humans. If you used drugs to disable your circadian clock... nothing much would happen, because most humans live in 12/12hr day/light cycle, or close enough to it. People who don't follow their circadian rhythm, like shift workers, tend to be more depressed and get sick more often.