Letter from the Editor #552: Genetic Cause of Diabetes, Perfect Gifts for the Holidays

Last week we published an article, New Analysis Concludes Cause of Diabetes Not Genetic, which focused on the concept that no genomic research has found that genes play a significant part in causing diabetes. Over the past week we have received many comments about the article from researchers around the world and after carefully reading through them we selected one to represent a different interpretation of the existing research data.

Constantin Polychronakos M.D., F.R.C.P.C., Professor, Departments of Paediatrics and Human Genetics, Director, Division of Endocrinology, McGill University Health Centre, has agreed to share his response to the analysis that the cause of diabetes is not genetic. Please read his Rebuttal to the Analysis that the Cause of Diabetes is Not Genetic.

Sheri Colberg, Ph.D., FACSM, and I were talking about the perfect gifts for the holidays and both of us noted that there seemed to be more commercials for fitness equipment at this time of year than ever before. Typically you don’t see this kind of advertising till after New Year’s Day. I asked her how many people who get equipment this month will be using it 30 days from now. This led to a conversation on how to people can self-motivate themselves and I was reminded of an article she wrote three years ago. Motivational Tips to Keep Yourself Fit is a great feature to print and have ready to give to your patients.

Please answer this week’s poll (in the right-hand column): Do you approve of the court decision eliminating the requirement to have insurance which will also remove the requirement that insurance companies cover those with pre-existing conditions

Check out this week’s “Test Your Diabetes Knowledge” question!

Dave Joffe, Editor-in-chief