On Sun, 7 Nov 1999, Michael Audette wrote:

> > juvenile onset diabetes mellitus is associated with
> > a mutation on chromosome 18
>
> Could this be normal and labeled a mutation for lack of the real
> explanation? Do the majority have said mutation, has it been with us all
> along, or is it a result of resent environmental changes?

The mutation is not normal, and the majority do not have it.  I
am referring to juvenile diabetes here.  A simple explanation for
why the incidence of this disease has increased in the 20th
century is that because of insulin theraphy more of these
diabetics have normal lifespans and thus live long enough to have
children, thus promulgating the mutant gene in the gene pool.

Ben suggested a model in which the mutation, a virus, and diet
all play a role, and this may be correct.

Todd Moody
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