>people don't drink, for which there is no evidence, there is real empirical
>evidence that moderate alcohol consumption leads to lower risk of heart
>disease and increased life expectancy, and that this effect is determined by
>genes.

gts;

But isn't the genetic expression protectionist? In other words the enzyme
allows the body to dispose of alcohol via the liver - which must halt other
functions for the duration while dealing with that matter and that alcohol
is treated as a toxin?

Note:

http://www.middlebury.edu/~healthed/alcathletes.html

"Alcohol consumption has a significant impact on how the liver functions.
The liver is the primary organ which metabolizes alcohol so that alcohol is
broken down and eliminated from the body. The liver responds to alcohol as a
toxin and when a toxin is present in the body, the liver temporarily
"suspends" its other functions in order to rid the body of a toxic
substance. One of the normal functions the liver suspends in order to
process the alcohol is one of the liver's primary functions - the
maintaining of adequate blood levels of glycogen. Glycogen is the basic fuel
for the body and brain. When the liver suspends its function of producing
adequate glycogen, the results are impaired cognitive function and rapid
onset of muscle fatigue during strenuous exercise. Both of these result in
impaired athletic performance. A secondary effect of an inadequate glycogen
supply is that muscle tissue may lack the energy supply necessary for cell
repair following strenuous exercise."

Marilyn