Diabetes—In Our Genes?

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, nearly one-third are unaware that they have the disease.

Diabetes can be treated, although in the future, the treatments may look radically different due to the work being done to uncover the genetics of the disease. Scientists and others have observed that diabetes runs in some families. But until recently, researchers could not name specific genes responsible for diabetes. By studying groups like the Amish, who seldom marry outside their community and thus have lots of genetic similarities, we are edging closer to finding the genes that lead to diabetes.

To learn more about some of the most important recent research into the biology of diabetes, click on one of the What’s Hot headlines. Or, visit The Basics section for general information about the disease.