Re:two different worlds (Score 1)

This is very true. IANAB(Y) [I am not a biochemist (yet)], but this story seems a little out of place. Everyone clamoring for the definition of chirality (which is a pretty basic chemistry concept) should be a good indicator of an article that's in a different league from "geeks." Not a better or more diffult league, just different.

Back on topic, the whole thalidomide incident in the 60's was a good example of the different effects of chiral molecules. One of them was supposed to combat morning sickness. The other one led to serious birth defects (e.g., no arms, no legs, &c). Oops. Thalidomide is actually still used for leprosy. You can read more about future applications of it here - I won't bore you.

Also, I believe that one of those OTC pain killers (aspirin, acetomeniphen, whatever) also has an interesting chiral property. When they make the drug, it comes out ~50/50 each enantiomer. Even though only one of the enantiomers works in the body, they don't bother to screen out the other, but leave it in as "dead weight." Turns out the body converts the "dead" enantiomer into the functional, working drug one on its own. Isn't science neato? ;-)

---- Stultus