A Contradiction to the "Lifestyle" Disease

    Recently published in Nature Genetics, Dr. Sylvie Lesage has discovered that a common genetic defect in beta cells may be the true cause of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.  Diabetes is often labeled the "lifestyle" disease due to the fact that Type 2 Diabetes is linked to obesity and poor health habits which cause a metabolic dysfunction of the liver. Type 1 Diabetes however,  is caused at a young age by an autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. With thanks to the new discoveries it is evident that genetics plays a large role in whether a person develops the disease or not.
    Dr. Lesage states that some people have beta cells that are tough and can handle stress very well and others have the opposite characteristics. Those who have very tough and robust beta cells will remain healthy even if they suffer from an autoimmunity or metabolic disfunction of the liver. It can be said that these people are rather lucky. Whereas the unlucky people with weaker beta cells will develop the disease if they suffer from an autoimmunity or dysfunction of the liver. This discovery was made possible due to experiments that were done on mice by Dr. Adrian Liston which concluded with the information that is stated above.

    What can be taken from this newfound information is that there is a new factor that must be taken into account when studying Diabetes and the susceptibility that people have to developing this debilitating disease. I can predict that in the future a routine test to measure beta cells will be given to patients in order for doctors to be able to properly advise their patients on how to take care of their bodies. Those patients that have tough beta cells will be advised to continue to live a healthy lifestyle but will not be at high risk of developing Diabetes. Those patients that have weaker beta cells will be given the proper precautions and informed of their higher susceptibility to developing the disease. With this testing it will hopefully be possible to prevent this disease from continuing to become more prominent.

Questionable Genomic Screening

Sci Daily & Medicalxpress.  Many people carry genetic mutations that occur in very low frequencies among populations. These include cancers and blood disorders. In the March addition of Genetics in Medicine ,UNC School of Medicine researchers propose genetic screening for healthy people for early prevention. To me, this sounds like a money making scheme, but hey, I'm no expert. However, James Evans, MD states that uncovering the individuals with rare needs due to the possible development of a genetic disorder is beneficial to the community. He goes on to state that DNA sequencing is affordable and it can detect diseases like Lynch Syndrome, an inherited cancer of the digestive system that afflicts over 600,000 people. Early detection finds this disease 80 percent risk for preventable cancers. So pay the cool $200 for an approximate .2 percent chance of finding the disease.

RNAi or RNA interference is the tool used for analysis of gene function. First used on Drosophila and mammalian cultured cells. This method sheds light on signal transduction, cancer biology, and host cell responses to infection. There is already different genetic testing variations such as carrier identification, prenatal diagnosis, newborn screening, late-onset disorders, and identification. Genetic disease or susceptibility can have implications for employment and insurance. Therefore, handling this information is important in terms of privacy. Obtaining and documenting this information can have an impact on an individuals life, negative and potentially positive for roughly 2 percent of the population.