#DNA

A landmark study published in Science suggests humans may carry dormant genetic switches inspired by hibernating mammals. When activated, these switches could alter how the body handles metabolism, muscle maintenance, and brain protection. For Thailand, where chronic diseases burden aging populations, the research points to potential therapies that aim at root causes rather than symptom management.

In Thailand’s context, the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative conditions threatens families and the health system. Experts say activating human regulatory DNA could unlock new treatments that boost metabolic health, protect brain function, and improve quality of life for millions of Thais living with metabolic syndrome and dementia risk. This aligns with Thailand’s emphasis on practical, science-led healthcare improvements that benefit everyday life.

Revolutionary scientific discoveries published in the prestigious journal Science reveal that humans possess dormant genetic “superpowers” inherited from hibernating mammals that could fundamentally transform treatment approaches for chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease—conditions that disproportionately affect Thailand’s aging population and strain the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. This groundbreaking research from University of Utah scientists identifies specific DNA regulatory regions that enable hibernating animals to recover completely from months of physical decline, with these same genetic elements present and potentially activatable in human genomes, opening unprecedented pathways for therapeutic interventions.

The concept of humans carrying dormant genetic “superpowers” for healing may seem like science fiction, but emerging research suggests it’s closer to reality than once believed. In a pair of groundbreaking studies published July 31, 2025, in the journal Science, researchers at the University of Utah have identified specific DNA regions in hibernating mammals that underlie their remarkable resilience—allowing them to recover from months of physical decline without lasting harm. Even more promising, these same genetic elements may be present and potentially activatable in the human genome, opening new pathways for treatments of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease (Gizmodo; MedicalXpress).

Genetics has delivered a powerful verdict in the ongoing discussion about “race”: there is no meaningful biological basis for racial categories, even as their social significance continues to impact lives worldwide. This scientific clarity comes at a time when political and cultural debates, such as recent US presidential orders attacking museum exhibitions that deny race is a biological reality, reignite age-old controversies. For Thai readers navigating conversations on ethnicity, heritage, and health, understanding what genetics truly reveals about human difference is more important than ever.