Decoding Diabetes

An Icelandic biotech firm has announced a major advance in unraveling the complicated genetic framework behind the development of type 2 diabetes. Researchers at DeCode Genetics have identified a gene that doubles the risk of type 2 diabetes. People born with one copy of the gene increase their risk by about 45%, while those who inherit the gene from both parents are twice as likely to eventually develop type 2 diabetes. What are the implications? DeCode scientists say that the finding will further diabetes drug development and assist in the design of new genetic testing for type 2 diabetes.

RELATED: Type 2 Diabetes Causes and Risk Factors

Comments

1. At 05:26 PM on Fri, Nov 2, 2007 Stu wrote:

   Thanks for blog. It's was very usefull for me.

2. At 02:00 AM on Mon, Aug 6, 2007 Eric wrote:

   Very useful information. I think it is useful for many people. Thank you for your blogs.
   

3. At 03:22 PM on Fri, May 18, 2007 Lisa Kessler wrote:

   I am writing to share some important new information about the genetic test for type 2 diabetes risk that that you blogged about in January 2006.

   As you may know, the deCODE T2™ test just became available to the medical community in April 2007 after being validated by independent researchers in studies of tens of thousands of people all around the world. It looks for a unique genetic marker that acts as an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes. People who test positive are twice as likely to develop diabetes.

   DNA Direct, a web-based genetic counseling and testing service, now offers this test to help people determine if they are at increased risk for diabetes. We have genetic experts who are well versed in the genetics of diabetes who want to help provide education about this test. Please let me know if you would be interested in interviewing them for your blog.

   If you are interested or have any questions about this new testing option, please feel free to contact me directly at lkessler@dnadirect.com

   Thank you,

   Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC
   www.dnadirect.com
   

4. At 06:21 PM on Mon, Jan 23, 2006 Bryan wrote:

   Is there a possibility of you coming out with a Podcast on iTunes any time soon?

   Thanks!
   Bryan