Living with Diabetes

Will there be a cure?

Written by

kathleen

in

First of all, you have to know that I am a “dog” person. I have bred dogs, and I have had dogs with genetic diseases. Thus I “get” genetic disease, on a very crude basis, but I get it.

There are two types of genetic problems.

Some involve single genes — we find them pretty easily in the dog world. They are usually recessive, and you see them pretty quickly. Recessive genes in dogs cause things like white color in boxes. It’s also associated with deafness in boxes.

Some involve multiple genes — hip dysplasia is a good example. We’re pretty sure multiple genes cause the problem, and that simple elimination of affected dogs from the gene pool won’t solve the problem.

But here’s the problem with diabetes. Diabetes itself is not a disease. It can’t be. Not with the multiple types. Diabetes, in my opinion, is a group of sympthoms that are common to several different diseases. Some may be genetic, some may not.

There is a very interesting article about genetic medicine in the New York Times about the Mennonites in Pennsylvania. Read it. After reading that article I came to this conclusion: I think that we’re going to find that some types of Type 1 diabetics are genetic in origin and can be avoided if the environment is controlled. However, I think it is going to be a while before we understand Type 1 diabetics fully.

I think it will be even longer before we get a handle on Type 2 diabetes.

Comments

2 responses to “Will there be a cure?”

  1. Geri Redmond Avatar
    Geri Redmond

    If diabetes is genetic why do I have type 2?
    No one in my family, mother or fathers side has had it. Back to 1819.
    Just been diagnosed with it and I don’t like it. :>)

    Reply
  2. Konstantinos Nikopoulos Avatar
    Konstantinos Nikopoulos

    Both forms of diabetes are genetic.Using simple words, in type 1, the body is unable to produce any insulin. This usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It’s treated with diet control and insulin injections. type 1 diabetes used to be called ‘insulin-dependent diabetes’.
    In Type 2 diabetes, not enough insulin is produced or the insulin that is made doesn’t work properly or is not recognised properly by the relevant cell receptors. This tends to affect people as they get older, and usually appears after the age of 40. It used to be known as ‘maturity-onset diabetes’ or ‘non-insulin dependent diabetes.
    Now concerning your question using some genetic terms, each indivundual carries 2 copies of each gene.One that comes from the mother and the other from the father.
    Now please allow me to give you an example.Both of your parents could have one normal copy (50% of the total insulin production) and another allelic form of the same gene(s) that was not “working properlyIn healthy people we have 50+50=100% insulin production.Now in your parents case could be 50+25=75% with one allele half working.That means less insulin but it is not necessary causing the disease because 75 % insulin production copuld be enough. If you have taken these 2 gene forms that could for example produce less insulin you would produce (just example) 25+25=50..which could cause a problem.
    Things in reality are quite more complicated but the philosophy behind is the example i mentioned which though please i quote for explanation reasons and might not be the actual events in your case.
    Best wishes,
    Konstantinos

    Reply

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