New gene variant increases type 2 diabetes risk

Particular gene variations within the body could increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 80 per cent, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine .
The same study also found that people who took the time to exercise moderately for 30 minutes per day at least five days a week could almost eliminate the extra risk placed on them by their genetic makeup. One expert, Dr. Jose C Florez of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard medical school said: “If you engage in a healthy lifestyle, you can trump the bad deck of cards given to you by your genes. Environment can overcome the genetics you have received.” Dr. Florez authored the study.
The study marks greater development in understanding the genetics leading to diabetes. Dr. O’Rahilly, of the University of Cambridge, reported in an accompanying editorial: “Instead of just talking about genetic determinants for type 2 diabetes, we are now really beginning to identify them in earnest. Ultimately, when a combination of such genetic risk factors are identified they may be sufficiently predictive that you might want to aggressively target preventive measures at those at very high risk.”
Dr. Florez said that widespread testing is a possibility for the future, but for the moment more regular clinical trials must be established.