Genetic Elements
Genes are linings on the DNA of our cells that carry instructions on what protein to make. You probably know that they are responsible for our uniqueness in the physique. They carry information from our parents and the parents before them. The interaction between genes from both parents, each other, and the environment is a complex process that may determine the risk of Diabetes.
The findings on the role of genes in patients are perplexing to researchers. For example, over 90% of people suffering from type 1 Diabetes do not have a family history of the disease. This explains the complex combination of very many genes involves. There is also evidence of their interaction with the environment. Moreover, twins may not necessarily have the same level of risk of contracting the disease. In fact, one of the children could suffer from type 1 diabetes and the other is at not more than 20% risk.
The complex interaction of genes explains why children born of diabetic parents may not suffer from it in their lifetime. Inheriting diabetic genes does not necessarily guarantee your condition. You can only be described as susceptible to the disease but not necessarily vulnerable.
Findings reveal that malfunctioning of the gene region responsible for the immune process puts individuals at risk. The HLA, as it is known, identifies your cells apart from foreign bodies.
Failure to make this separation leads to a condition called auto-immune response. This is a condition where your cells face destruction because they are mistaken for foreign cells. The insulin gene region of your DNA is also responsible for your susceptibility.
Despite the extensive research on diabetes 2, little is known about the behavior of the genes responsible. There are many genes discovered that are associated with the disease. However, the interaction process is undefined. Scientists cannot tell which ones are involved or the role they play in creating conditions that sustain Diabetes.
The advancement in genotyping has exposed some useful information that guides our knowledge of diabetes-causing genes. However, the information is not enough to help you avoid the type 2 version. Environment Element
In Europe, the immediate relatives of a patient with type 2 Diabetes have between 20 to 40% prevalence for the disease. Types are more susceptible according to research done in Western countries. Between 50 and 90 % of twins are at risk of type 2 Diabetes.
