Dolphins May Offer Clues to Treating Diabetes

IF it is true that some people are genetically wired to believe in religion, it might help to explain why this country is filled with so many fundamentalists. Many of the original settlers came to escape religious persecution, not that it prevented them from persecuting others who didn't march in lock-step to their narrow beliefs.

Brett, I appreciate your comments, as I think the 64 years I managed to avoid diabetes ought to count for something. It would be great if they could find a cure. I'd really love to find out what genetic diseases Robin develops as the years go by.

MyDocDoesn'tBelieveMe of CA 3:39PM February 21, 2010

Robin, your logic is flawed, dangerously flawed as David in CA points out. Such logic has resulted in some of the ugliest wars and largest mass killings ever known.

But even more dangerous is not just the 'choice' to not have children because you or your partner may not have perfect genes, but the determination of what an 'imperfect gene' might be. In the context of this article, it started with diabetes, but you expanded it to the 'diabetes problem' similar in terminology to the 'jewish problem' the 'muslim problem' the 'indian problem' (on two different continents) etc.

Now, just because a person carries a gene that might predispose them to diabetes or any other condition it does not mean that they do not carry other genes that are VERY worthwhile to the human race, and even more important necessary to increase diversity in the gene pool and prevent inbreeding between all those people that do not have 'imperfect genes'.

Recently scientists have even discovered that believing in religion or god is something that some people are wired to do more than others, ergo we have a genetic disposition to believe in god(s).

So what happens if the board of directors of the Department to Eliminate Genetic Flaws comes to the political determination that religious beliefs are a genetic flaw, and should be exorcised by encouraging/preventing/forcing people that believe in god(s) to stop procreating?

Or what if people of below average intelligence are asked/forced to do the same? What if the bar for what average intelligence is increased to say an IQ level of 120 or higher?

Any individual can choose to produce or not reproduce for what ever reason, but as a suggestion to combat a disease it is very very flawed rhetoric that historically has always led to murder and war.

Brett of NC 12:39PM February 20, 2010

Robin,

Let's extend that to the handicapped or everyone predisposed to cancer? How about IQ? If that was the case then you might need to adopt.

You understand the concept of eugenics and how Hitler popularized it with the sterilization of the Jews right?

David of CA 10:04AM February 20, 2010

The easiest way to permanently fix and prevent any diabetes in the population at large is to check all people for the diabetes causing genes. Almost all of these genes are well characterized and new ones are being identified as we speak. Once a person is found to have the bad or defected genes, simply ask them to adopt rather than produce children. In one or two generations the "diabetes" problem will become a historical disease that lots of people used to get, but no one gets it any more. Yes, there will always be a few cases here and there, but for the most part the disease would become a thing of the past.

Do you want your child to go blind? Do you want your child to have their legs and arms amputated? Do you want your children to lose their heart and kidneys because of Diabetes? Do you wish your child had a sever case of Diabetes disease? Well then don't wish it on them. It is as simple as that.

Robin of AL 4:50AM February 20, 2010