scientist have been dealing with recoil after produce a “ globe - first weight - loss gimmick ” that locks peoples ’ jaw shut and forces them to exhaust a strictly liquid dieting . Some Twitter users have questioned the morals and practicalities of the machine , while others have gone as far as tocompareit to a " gothic torture machine . "
The jaw - clamping machine , called theDentalSlim Diet Control , consists of magnet that are attach to the bottom and top first molar dentition to restrict the jaw from open more than 2 millimeters ( 0.079 inches ) astray . Although the twist can be open by the exploiter in an emergency , the musical theme , apparently , is to keep the jaw near - shut out and promote user to stick to a liquid dieting that ’s scummy in calories .
It was make by research worker from the University of Otago in New Zealand and was recently the subject of a paper published in Nature’sBritish Dental Journal . The bailiwick see seven obese patients being fitted with the gimmick for two weeks and subject to a commercially available liquid dieting . The findingsstatethe participant lost an average of 6.36 kilograms ( 14 pounds ) and “ were motivate to continue with their free weight departure journey . ”
“ It is a non - incursive , reversible , economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures , ” Professor Paul Brunton , lead researcher from the University of Otago ’s Division of Health Sciences , said in astatement .
“ The fact is , there are no inauspicious consequences with this gadget . ”
However , not everyone saw the twist in such a rosy light . When the press release for the research wasposted on Twitter , hundred of hoi polloi took to their keyboards to deal out criticism of the equipment .
“ Have you considered wire the professors finger together so they can do less of this ? ” one Twitter userjoked .
“ And this , Thomas Kid , is why ethics need to be taught in science . ripe God , I thought medicine was past these kinds of distortion devices , ” saidanother .
Others pointed out that the papernotes : " After 24 hour , the participants indicated that they occasionally felt embarrassed , self - witting and that life , in general , was less comforting . "
After realizing the research was attracting some warmth on Twitter , the University of Otagoresponded:“To clarify , the intention of the gimmick is not intend as a quick or long - term weight - loss tool ; rather it is aimed to attend to masses who need to undergo surgery and who can not have the surgery until they have lost weight . ”
“ After two or three weeks they can have the magnets disengaged and machine removed . They could then have a period with a less restricted dieting and then go back into treatment . This would allow for a phased overture to system of weights going supported by advice from a dietitian , ” they add .
