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DNA Direct and deCODE Genetics are teaming up to offer a test for the polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene that is associated with an increased risk for developing diabetes. Check out the story and commentary on Hsien Hsien Lei's Genetics and Health blog here
The discovery of the association between a common polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene and risk for diabetes was first published in Nature Genetics by the deCode Genetics group a little over a year ago in March 2006. Link to the PubMed abstract here.
Since this report was published, the scramble to replicate these findings in other populations has been going on at a furious pace. A PubMed search using the terms "TCF7L2 Diabetes" came up with 44 published reports in just over a year.
In a nutshell, the association between the “T� allele of SNP rs7903146 in the TCF7L2 gene is being being replicated by different labs and different populations all over the world and is now being offered as a susceptibility test directly to consumers without the mediation of a health care provider. Is this a good idea? Count me amongst the skeptical on this one.