GAINESVILLE, FL:

A Gainesville scientist has discovered a possible to solution to obesity and that solution may someday become a drug.

     It has been the dream of people struggling with weight gain for decades... a magic pill to help them lose weight. 

     But its only been the stuff of science fiction... until now.

     The CEO and founder of Chief Prometheon pharmaceutical Dr. Stephen Hsu "We simply want a very practical solution." 

     A solution to obesity has been Dr. Stephen Hsu's goal for five years. 

     And now he has found a huge piece to his puzzle...

     Dr. Stephen Hsu said "the interesting thing about this protein is it is actually permissive it permits you to get fat if you have it."

     This protein is trip-b-r-two, and yes, it indirectly causes weight gain by restricting the activity of fat burning cells.

     Right now one third of adults and about 17 percent of children in the united states are obese, according to the centers for disease control.

     Making it a problem that hits close to home for many americans.     

    Gainesville resident Franki Ramos says his father is over weight and because of that "now he has hypertension and he has sleep apnea and stuff so him being a little over weight is getting to be a problem as he gets older" 

     Those health issues affiliated with obesity are part of the reason Dr. Hsu was so excited about his recent discovery.

     Now he is optimistic that one day soon he or other like him will be able to develop a drug that will counteract that protein trip-b-r-two. 

     Dr. Hsu says, "having a good drug that can be affordable and used world wide would i think be sort of in my mind the ideal sort of anti obesity drug." 

     While some look forward to this innovative drug to reach the market...

     Others still believe using medicine to solve obesity should be a last resort.

     Frankie Ramos, "i mean im all for the drug, i mean if it makes it easier for people to lose weight but they should try all  the other methods first. Like  go out and exercise and get yourself on a proper diet." 

     While Dr. Hsu works on developing the first weight gain prevention and loss drug, it would take at least a decade to bring it to market.  Until then, people will have to stick to a more traditional weight loss method.