World Diabetes Day

It’s World Diabetes Day and researchers have just announced the discovery of new clues about the genetic origins of the disease.

A new study reveals that genes on chromosome number 6 are involved in type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes.

The area on chromosome 6 contains MANY genes that are involved in malfunction of the immune system, including juvenile diabetes.

In a new study, scientists analyzed 850 sibling pairs from the United States and Great Britain to compare the genes of affected siblings to those of their healthy brothers and sisters.

They found that two particular genes, called HLA-A and HLA-B, were involved in the destruction of INSULIN producing cells in the pancreas and accelerating onset of diabetes.

Researchers then verified these findings in more than 10,000 other people, suggesting the new genes are a common trigger in type 1 diabetes.

Doctors say these two genes provide NEW targets for therapies to fight the disease, including the potential to develop a vaccine that PREVENTS type 1 diabetes altogether.