[chetman]

Came here to ensure that was discussed. It's really kind of a shame that there's as much confusion about the types of diabetes as there is. I've taken to referring to them, in an EXCEEDINGLY reductive manner, as "autoimmune diabetes" and "cheeseburger diabetes."

My brother has autoimmune diabetes (aka Type 1). We give to and volunteer with the JDRF as a result, because its mission is laser focussed on type 1 related research. I do not give to or support the ADA, because their efforts are really diffuse and seem to focus more on the cheeseburger type.

[auggierose]

You could also just say that one type of diabetes is about people who love cheeseburgers by nature, and the other one about people whose genes are broken in a different way (also by nature). Now, if you want to discuss which one is more important: maybe the one which occurs more commonly and is easier to cure?

[davnicwil]

Just to dispel a common misconception, the cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown. There is no conclusive proof that the condition is genetic.

AFAIK there are certain correlations with the condition and the presence of certain gene combinations, and hypotheses abound that it is indeed a genetic condition, but they are still just hypotheses - research is ongoing.

[busterarm]

Its a big lie though. Type-2s genes are (usually) also broken. ;)