50% Of U.S. Citizens Have 'Diabetes Gene'

Filed in archive Research on January 29, 2007

This is a rather surprising statistic. Much has been made of the 'diabetes gene,' which supposedly leads to a higher incidence of diabetes, particularly Type 2. But who would have imagined this many people have it? Why is it so high, and how much of an effect does it really have?

Half of the U.S. population has a version of a gene that causes them to metabolize food differently, putting them at greater risk of diabetes.

Edward Weiss of Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University looked at a relatively common version of a gene called FABP2, which is involved in the absorption of fat from food.

Many more studies will be needed to determine the accuracy of this theory. Whether it is true or not, is it any sort of 'sentence?' The eternal question remains: which is more important, heredity or lifestyle choices?