Is diabetes genetic?

There is a genetic component in both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes that may make an individual more susceptible to developing the disease. In Type 2 Diabetes, this explains why some obese individuals develop Diabetes and some remain healthy.

Many different genes have been identified which may contribute to Diabetes when coupled with certain environmental triggers throughout the lifespan. In Type 2 Diabetes, most of the genes which have been identified are associated with dysfunction of the Beta cells, and to a lesser extent genes associated with insulin sensitivity and obesity. The Beta cells are responsible for insulin production in the pancreas.

Many susceptibility genes have also been identified for Type 1 Diabetes, but the most studied is the IDDM1 gene on the HLA region on chromosome 6p21. Individuals with certain variants of this gene are more likely to develop Type 1 Diabetes. Environmental exposures, such as viral and bacterial infections, Vitamin D deficiency or early introduction to cow's milk, have been indicated in triggering these genes leading to the development of Type 1 Diabetes. There is also a higher risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes if a parent or sibling has the disease.