Diabetes, Endocrinology and Healthcare

Genetics of Diabetes

Genetics play a strong role in the chances of developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Other factors include environment and lifestyle. The risk of developing diabetes is affected by whether your parents or siblings have diabetes. The causes of type 1 diabetes are unknown, although several risk factors have been identified. The risk of developing type 1 diabetes is increased by certain variants and genes. Type 1 diabetes is generally considered to be an autoimmune disorder. In people with type 1 diabetes the immune system damages the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Several factors have to come together for a person to develop type 2 diabetes. Elements like nutrition and exercise are extremely important. However, type 2 diabetes also has a strong hereditary component. several gene mutations have been associated with type 2 diabetes risk include, insulin secretion and glucose production, glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), which helps move glucose into the pancreas.