Worthwhile Research?

Here's a story about researchers who say that a virus may contribute to some people's obesity.

It's an interesting read. ... Although at the end of the story, Dr. Barbara B. Kahn, chief of the division of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said, "In general, to become obese there has to be some sort of mismatch between energy intake and energy expenditure."

Kind of negates the need for all the research.

So, what do you think? Is this kind of research just wasted time? I mean, to me, with all the people getting cancer or AIDS or other really bad diseases, it seems silly to spend time and money on research like this.