"One of the worst-case scenarios, as we are trying to look for political solutions, would be if some of those chemical stockpiles would fall into unfriendly hands, " he said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Working out all the industrial ramifications of such novel solutions will take some time which is one reason that rival chemical companies are willing to bury their differences to back Dr Seddon.

ECONOMIST: Ionic solvent

If government can find a way to drive some of this bias against obese people out of the scientific agenda, we have real potential to see solutions, building on promising new research that looks differently at the physiology of obesity and chemical and environmental triggers previously unexplored.

WSJ: The Experts: What role should government play in combatting obesity?