Fetus DNA Will Predict Diabetes
A recent study found genetic differences in the fetus that could predict diabetes. According to the results of the samples, the DNA will be able to indicate according to its variation if the fetus comes with a propensity to suffer diseases such as diabetes and others. It is understood that there is a high degree of confidence in the data that emerges from this analysis.
Experts believe that in the medium term, predictions about heart health or obesity can be made using the DNA of the fetus. This advance still seems unlikely to many, however, it is the product of the study of an international group of professionals. The genetic samples analyzed exceed 140 thousand, of which the majority show obvious differences.
How to predict diabetes in the fetus?
Specialists from the Welcome Trust Center for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford, led by the Galician researcher Juan Fernández Tajes, found differences in the genome of thousands of people. These differences made it possible to establish low birth weight. Once it was determined that DNA did indeed have concrete evidence in this regard, they were able to evaluate other possibilities.
In this sense, the researchers were quick to link these variations with the eventual development of metabolic and other coronary diseases. In this regard, they highlight that a baby weighing 5 or 6 kg at birth was probably exposed to gestational diabetes. Therefore, by recognizing the propensity to obesity, it is possible to determine other implications of the case.
Similarly, it is possible to assess the eventual consequences of low birth weight for adult life. Notably, the scientists focused on studying babies who were between 2.5 and 4 kg. The results allowed us to identify the genetic influence on underweight and also on older ones.
It was a study in which more than 150 specialists from the universities of Bristol, Queensland, Cambridge, Oxford, Exeter and the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam participated. Scientists of 17 nationalities continue to work on this project, in which they intend to incorporate samples from Galicia.
DNA can predict diabetes more than other factors
According to specialists, the genetic aspect has more impact on the weight of the baby at birth than other factors such as the health, habits and weight of the mother. To make this claim, the scientists relied on differences found in at least 60 regions of the genome. Coincidentally these regions are the same related to diabetes and other diseases.
“The genetic component is very important, much more than previously thought, even up to seven times more than the environmental component itself”
-Juan Fernández Tajes-
In this sense, other external factors such as the mother’s eating habits would not be so influential in the development of this disease. Therefore, the genetic factor would be the main cause of the appearance of diabetes in adulthood. However, predicting it during pregnancy is a great step towards attacking it from the root.
Some coronary problems that also have to do with being overweight are among the researchers’ predictions. That is, the genetic predisposition that implies that the baby is born underweight or overweight, is the same related to other diseases. Thus, the identification of these differences is what would allow predicting diabetes in the fetus.
What is the use of predicting diabetes?
This work is not only theoretical, it also has many practical implications. For example , when predicting diabetes, prenatal medical provisions are also activated. External factors would no longer be considered as a priority, but would work directly for the fetus. Since DNA cannot be deliberately modified at the moment, diabetes would be directly treated as a consequence.
Other practical scopes refer to the implementation of the genetic analysis of the fetus, as a preventive measure. This means that it is necessary to develop techniques and plans capable of taking this analysis to the prenatal consultation. Having discovered that this disease can be predicted before birth, solutions must be created.
This implies that from the first years the condition can be attacked through the creation of healthy habits. However, some people think that it is preferable not to know what the future holds for us in this regard. Whatever your opinion, it is good news to know what science can do for an unborn baby.
