Scientists have used drunken fruit flies to make a breakthrough in the search for a genetic cause of alcoholism. Researchers at the University ofCalifornia decided to test whether the insects could hold their drink because fruit flies have similar reactions to alcohol as humans. The work led to the discovery of a gene that the scientists nicknamed 'cheapdate'. The gene makes it easier for the flies to get drunk, suggesting a similar gene could play a role in human susceptibility to alcohol.