Unlike T1D, T2D can generally be prevented by maintaining an age-appropriate body weight and engaging in physical activity. Given the recent obesity epidemic, it is obvious that current intervention strategies are being ignored by a majority of individuals in the general population.

Leaders of the Human Genome Project have predicted that genetic tests for many common diseases would be available in first decade of the 21st century, permitting persons ‘to learn their individual susceptibilities and to take steps to reduce those risks’ by applying interventions based on ‘medical surveillance, lifestyle modification, diet or drug therapy’ (Collins and McKusick, 2001). In fact several companies are now offering genetic susceptibility testing, which can be ordered online by any individual, for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and obesity.