Rare DNA variants linked to type 2 diabetes

A study of more than 45,000 people — roughly half of whom have type 2 diabetes — has identified rare genetic variants that seem linked to the disease. The study, which used data from global registries, identified four genes with rare variants using whole exome sequencing, a technique that looks at parts of the genome that code for proteins. Even though this study looked at a large number of people, the authors write that even bigger studies with double or even triple that total will be needed to find rare variants that make a big impact on the development of disease. And although the current findings only represent an association and not a causal link, the study authors say the data could be used to further investigate potential diabetes drugs.