Mutation Helps People Function with Less Sleep

A genetic mutation in the gene DEC2 has proved to allow people to function on less sleep. People with this mutation have been able to function with only five to six hours of sleep. The mutation allows people to sleep more efficiently. In addition, they seem to have no negative effects to it.  Although it is very rare, even among short sleepers, those involved in the discovery have said that they are trying to find a way to use it to benefit us in the future. This gene may be a key in helping those with sleeping disorders, or to simply help those who do not get enough sleep. 




This is an example of hypothesis based science because experiments were conducted on mice to see the effect of the gene, and on people to see how common the mutation was. 


Author: Katherine Harmon
Title: Rare Genetic Mutation Lets Some People Function with Less Sleep
Journal: Scientific American
Date Published: August 13, 2009