Diabetes

Genetics of Diabetes

Submit Abstract Register Now

Genetics plays a major role in the likelihood of developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Other factors are environment and lifestyle. Diabetes is a new chronic disease affecting millions of people in the UK alone. Type 2 diabetes is partially inherited. 4,444 First-time relatives of people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop the disease than people without type 2 diabetes in their families. Therefore, Type 2 has a strong genetic component. The risk of developing diabetes depends on whether your parents or siblings have diabetes. The chances of developing type 1 or type 2 Diabetes vary, as shown below.

Type 1 diabetes and genetics

• A diabetic mother increases the risk of diabetes by 2%
• Another diabetic mother increases the risk of diabetes by 8%
• Both diabetic parents increase risk by 30%
• Diabetic brothers or sisters increase risk by 10%
• Diabetic identical twins increase risk by 40%

Type 2 Diabetes and Genetics-Average Risk

• Diabetes in the father's mother increases the risk of diabetes by 15%
• If both mother and father have diabetes, the risk is increased by 75%
• If identical twins have diabetes, the risk is increased by 90%