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Monkeys test 'hardworking gene'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3557310.stm

Thursday, 12 August, 2004, 00:03 GMT 01:03 UK  

By Richard Black 
BBC science correspondent  

Scientists in the United States have found a way of turning 
lazy monkeys into workaholics using gene therapy.
 
Usually monkeys work hard only when they know a reward is 
coming, but the animals given this treatment did their best 
all the time. 

Monkeys are rather like people in their approach to work - at 
least, those who live in a laboratory and learn to press 
levers for rewards of food and water. 

They concentrate on their task only when the moment of 
delivery approaches. 

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health near 
Washington DC, led by Dr Barry Richmond, have now developed a 
genetic treatment which changes their work ethic markedly. 
"Normal monkeys and people procrastinate - tend not to work 
very well when they have a lot of time to get the job done, 
and work better when the reward is nearer in time," Dr 
Richmond says. 

"The monkeys under the influence of the treatment don't 
procrastinate." 

The treatment consists of blocking an important brain 
chemical - dopamine. 

After about 10 weeks it had worn off, and the monkeys were 
back to their usual unmotivated selves. 

Dr Richmond believes treatments based on this concept could 
one day benefit people with conditions like depression, where 
motivation has largely disappeared from their lives. 
But for the rest of us, the day when such treatments fall 
into the hands of our bosses may be one we would prefer to 
put off.