"In one of the largest studies yet of human genetic variability, the scientists tested the DNA of more than 32,000 people in five countries to pin down spots that harbor genetic risk factors for this complicated killer."

"This type of research ? called a "genome-wide association" study ? promises to usher in a new era of genetics. Most breakthroughs so far have come from finding a mutation in a single gene that causes illness. But some of the world's most common killers, such as heart disease and diabetes, are caused by complex interactions among numerous genes and modern lifestyles ? and teasing out the genetic culprits until now has been almost impossible."

""We have been for all of the last decade or more looking under the lamppost to try to find those genes ... and lots of times the lamplight was not actually where we wanted it," said Dr. Francis Collins, genetics chief at the National Institutes of Health, a co-author of the research unveiled Thursday."

"What? Four previously unknown gene variants that can increase people's risk of Type 2 diabetes, and confirmation that six other genes play a role, too."

"The work, by three international research teams that shared their findings, was published online Thursday by the journal Science."

"Also Thursday in the journal Nature Genetics, another team led by Iceland researchers reported separately finding one of those same new genes ? and that, interestingly, it seems to increase the diabetes risk most in people who aren't obese."

"Next, the researchers will have to figure out just what those genes do, in hopes they'll point toward new ways to treat or prevent a disease that affects more than 170 million people worldwide, and rising."

"With
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