Diabetes drives irreversible organ damage in 500 million adults worldwide

In 2024, an estimated 589 million adults aged 20–79 were living with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation. That number could rise to 853 million by 2050 if global health systems fail to intervene. Diabetes is not just about elevated blood glucose levels. It is a chronic condition capable of inflicting slow, irreversible harm throughout the body.

Lifestyle plays a major role in diabetes development, yet genetics also matters. Today, advanced genetic sequencing technologies such as Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) offer a clearer window into inherited risk long before symptoms appear. For individuals with a family history, this insight supports earlier lifestyle changes, more frequent monitoring, and more personalised prevention strategies.

What Diabetes Really Is

Diabetes is commonly described as a problem of "high blood sugar," but the condition is more complex. It exists in two major forms with different causes and trajectories.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This usually begins in childhood or adolescence but can appear in adults as well. Because the pancreas cannot produce insulin, people with T1D require lifelong insulin therapy. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 is not influenced by lifestyle habits.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, is driving the global rise in cases. It develops slowly as the body becomes resistant to insulin or cannot produce enough of it to maintain normal blood glucose. Age, weight, inactivity, and genetic predisposition all contribute to risk. Many people live with early-stage T2D for years without knowing it, since the condition progresses quietly until blood sugar levels reach dangerous levels.

Damage Begins Early

Diabetes affects more than glucose control. Persistently high blood sugar can injure blood vessels, nerves, and organs throughout the body. These changes often start quietly. The heart and circulation are among the first to suffer; arteries stiffen and narrow, dramatically increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The kidneys work overtime to filter excess glucose, which can eventually lead to chronic kidney disease. Delicate vessels in the retina weaken, threatening vision. Nerve damage contributes to pain, numbness, and reduced sensation in the limbs, increasing the risk of infections. Even minor wounds heal more slowly, sometimes resulting in severe complications.

Much of this damage cannot be reversed once it begins. This is why early awareness is essential. The earlier a person understands their risk, the sooner they can take action—through lifestyle changes, timely check-ups, and medical guidance—to slow or prevent progression.

Genes and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Although lifestyle plays a major role in T2D, genetics helps determine how the body processes glucose, regulates insulin, and responds to metabolic stress. Research has identified several genes linked to increased susceptibility.

Variants in TCF7L2 significantly influence insulin secretion and glucose production and represent one of the strongest genetic markers associated with Type 2 diabetes. The ABCC8 gene affects the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. CAPN10, first recognised in Mexican American populations, contributes to variations in insulin sensitivity. GLUT2 helps transport glucose into pancreatic cells for proper glucose sensing.

The GCGR gene influences hormone activity that regulates glucose levels. GCK, which encodes glucokinase, plays a central role in how cells detect glucose. SLC30A8 affects zinc transport in beta cells, essential for insulin storage and secretion.

These genes do not determine fate on their own, but they offer valuable insight into the biological pathways that shape an individual's risk.

WGS Enhances Prevention

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) provides a more complete picture of a person's genetic risk. BGI Genomics XOME™ Clinical Whole Genome Sequencing (cWGS) is a more comprehensive method for analysing human DNA. Unlike exome sequencing or gene panels, which examine only a limited portion of the genome, cWGS explores the entire genetic sequence. It also goes beyond methods that detect only specific variant types such as CNVs or SNVs and small insertions or deletions. By capturing all major variant types, including structural variants, non-coding variants, and mitochondrial variants, cWGS provides a complete picture of genetic predisposition. This broader scope increases the chance of detecting meaningful variants associated with diabetes and other metabolic conditions. For individuals with a family history, cWGS offers clarity on inherited vulnerabilities that may otherwise remain unknown. For clinicians, it enables more precise monitoring strategies and helps guide prevention based on each person's unique genetic profile.

Diabetes continues to rise worldwide, yet early awareness can change its course. With better understanding of genetic predisposition, individuals can adopt healthier habits sooner, schedule more frequent screenings, and work with healthcare providers to manage their long-term metabolic health. As tools like XOME™ Clinical Whole Genome Sequencing enter wider clinical use, they bring us closer to a future where diabetes is identified earlier, prevented more effectively, and managed with greater precision, one genome at a time.

About BGI Genomics XOME™ Clinical Whole Genome Sequencing

XOME™ Clinical Whole Genome Sequencing (cWGS), provides comprehensive and cost-effective detection of point mutations, small indels, CNVs, mitochondrial variations, LOH, translocations, inversions, and dynamic mutations across the entire genome, covering all 3 billion base pairs and over 22,000 protein-coding genes in a single test.

About BGI Genomics

BGI Genomics, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, is the world's leading integrated solutions provider of precision medicine. Our services cover more than 100 countries and regions, involving more than 2,300 medical institutions. In July 2017, as a subsidiary of BGI Group, BGI Genomics (300676.SZ) was officially listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.